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Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 51(3); 426-437; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13770

Computed tomographic assessment of fracture characteristics and subchondral bone injury in Thoroughbred racehorses with lateral condylar fractures and their relationship to outcome.

Abstract: To investigate the effects of fracture characteristics and concurrent subchondral bone pathology identified with computed tomography (CT) on the racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses with fractures of the MC3/MT3 lateral condyle. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 50) with a fracture of the MC3/MT3 lateral condyle, which had preoperative CT and internal fixation performed. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, limb, and surgical treatment. Computed tomography scans were evaluated to determine fracture characteristics including length, whether the fracture was incomplete or complete, and displacement. The presence of subchondral bone injury (SBI), sesamoid bone fracture, articular comminution, and fragmentation in the joint was noted. Racing data was obtained from an online database. Univariable and multivariable analyses determined associations between independent variables and outcomes. Results: Thirty-three (66%) horses raced after surgery. Horses with sesamoid bone fractures (P = .021), MC3/MT3 comminution (P = .016) and intra-articular fragmentation (P = .015) were less likely to race postoperatively. Concurrent SBI did not affect outcome. In the final multivariable model, sex (P = .015) and whether a fracture was incomplete or complete (P = .007) were the most significant predictors of racing postoperatively with females and horses with complete fractures being less likely to race. Conclusions: The prognosis for racing after a lateral condylar fracture is favorable but is decreased in horses with complete fractures and certain concurrent joint pathology. Conclusions: Horses presenting with lateral condylar fractures commonly have concurrent joint pathology. Computed tomography can aid in preoperative evaluation and prognostication by enabling more complete fracture assessment.
© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-14 PubMed ID: 35165910DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13770Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research aims to study the impact of fracture characteristics and concurrent subchondral bone injury on the racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses using computed tomography. The study concludes that horses with complete fractures and certain joint conditions are less likely to race post-surgery, although the prognosis for racing after a lateral condylar fracture is generally favorable.

Methodology

  • The study used a retrospective cohort method, involving 50 Thoroughbred racehorses that have suffered a fracture of the MC3/MT3 lateral condyle and underwent preoperative computed tomography and internal fixation treatment.
  • Medical records of the horses were reviewed for information on age, sex, limb, and surgical treatment that the horses received.
  • The computed tomography scans were analyzed to determine the characteristics of the fracture including the length of the fracture, whether the fracture was incomplete or complete, and whether the fracture exhibited any displacement.
  • The study also noted the presence of any subchondral bone injury (SBI), sesamoid bone fracture, articular comminution (comminution refers to the fragmentation of a bone), and fragmentation in the joint.
  • Racing data was also collected using an online database. This data was examined to determine if there were associations between the independent variables (e.g., fracture characteristics) and outcomes (i.e., performance post-treatment).

Results

  • It was found that of all the horses studied, 33 or 66% raced after undergoing surgery.
  • Horses that had sesamoid bone fractures, MC3/MT3 comminution, and intra-articular fragmentation were less likely to race after surgery.
  • Surprisingly, the presence of concurrent subchondral bone injury did not affect the post-surgery racing outcome of the horses.
  • In terms of predictors for racing postoperatively, two factors were most significant: the sex of the horse and whether a fracture was incomplete or complete. Females and horses with complete fractures were less likely to race after surgery.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that the prognosis for racing after having a lateral condylar fracture is generally positive.
  • However, horses that had complete fractures and certain concurrent joint pathology were not as likely to race after surgery.
  • Another significant finding is that Thoroughbreds with lateral condylar fractures commonly exhibited concurrent joint pathology.
  • The study supports the use of computed tomography in preoperative evaluations as it provides a more complete understanding of the fracture, which aids in prognostication.

Cite This Article

APA
Cianci JM, Wulster KB, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D, Ortved KF. (2022). Computed tomographic assessment of fracture characteristics and subchondral bone injury in Thoroughbred racehorses with lateral condylar fractures and their relationship to outcome. Vet Surg, 51(3), 426-437. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13770

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 3
Pages: 426-437

Researcher Affiliations

Cianci, Justine M
  • Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Wulster, Kathryn B
  • Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Richardson, Dean W
  • Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Stefanovski, Darko
  • Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Ortved, Kyla F
  • Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / pathology
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Steel C, Ahern B, Zedler S, Vallance S, Galuppo L, Richardson J, Whitton C, Young A. Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 25;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13091459pubmed: 37174496google scholar: lookup
  2. Irandoust S, Whitton C, Henak C, Muir P. Tuning and validation of a virtual mechanical testing pipeline for condylar stress fracture risk assessment in Thoroughbred racehorses. R Soc Open Sci 2025 May;12(5):241935.
    doi: 10.1098/rsos.241935pubmed: 40370600google scholar: lookup
  3. Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Lee PV. Advancements in Subchondral Bone Biomechanics: Insights from Computed Tomography and Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging in Equine Models. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2024 Dec;22(6):544-552.
    doi: 10.1007/s11914-024-00886-ypubmed: 39276168google scholar: lookup
  4. Irandoust S, O'Neil LM, Stevenson CM, Franseen FM, Ramzan PHL, Powell SE, Brounts SH, Loeber SJ, Ergun DL, Whitton RC, Henak CR, Muir P. Comparison of radiography and computed tomography for identification of third metacarpal structural change and associated assessment of condylar stress fracture risk in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):723-736.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14131pubmed: 39143731google scholar: lookup
  5. Bergstrom TC, Spriet M, Carpenter RS, Jacques KL, Stover SM. Condylar fracture location is correlated to exercise history in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):76-86.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14091pubmed: 38584321google scholar: lookup
  6. Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Peter VG, Pokora R, Patrick H, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Three-Dimensional Imaging and Histopathological Features of Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove Fissures in Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 14;13(18).
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