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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Condylar fracture location is correlated to exercise history...
Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14091

Condylar fracture location is correlated to exercise history in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: Condylar fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Thoroughbred racehorses. Condylar fractures have a variety of fracture configurations that suggest there may be differences in aetiopathogenesis. Objective: To determine if exercise history differs with condylar fracture location in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical and exercise data. Methods: Exercise history of Thoroughbred racehorses that had condylar fracture repair between 1 January 2018 and 28 February 2021 was compared between racehorses that had fractures located radiographically either within the parasagittal groove (PSG) or abaxial to the PSG (non-PSG). Age, sex, and last event (race, timed work) matched control groups were compared between the PSG and non-PSG groups. Additionally, exercise history variables of both groups were each compared with a group-specific control population, each consisting of three control racehorses of equivalent age and sex matched to each affected racehorse by last event (race or official timed work) before fracture. Results: Eighty-two horses with 84 fractures (45 PSG, 39 non-PSG) met inclusion criteria. Age was not different between groups (PSG: 3.4 ± 1.3 years [mean ± SD], non-PSG: 3.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.3). Number of races (PSG: 5.3 ± 7.1, non-PSG: 11.4 ± 8.9, p < 0.001), total race furlongs (PSG: 38.2 ± 54.7, non-PSG: 79.2 ± 64, p = 0.003), and number of active days (PSG: 304 ± 224, non-PSG: 488 ± 314, p = 0.003) before fracture were greater; while mean number of layups was fewer (PSG: 1.0 ± 1.2, non-PSG: 0.5 ± 0.7, p = 0.02) in horses with non-PSG fracture. Horses with non-PSG fracture had more differences compared with their respective control group than horses with PSG fractures. Outcomes following fracture repair were not different between groups. Conclusions: Retrospective study, one regional racehorse population, two-dimensional imaging and potential inherent bias for fracture localisation, low statistical power for return to performance analysis. Conclusions: Thoroughbred racehorses with non-PSG condylar fractures have a more extensive exercise history than horses with PSG condylar fractures, suggesting differences in fracture aetiopathogenesis. Unassigned: Fraturas condilares são uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade em cavalos de corrida puro‐sangue inglês. As fraturas condilares apresentam uma variedade de configurações que sugerem que pode haver diferenças em suas etiopatogenia. Objective: Determinar se o histórico de exercícios difere com a localização da fratura condilar em uma população de cavalos de corrida puro‐sangue inglês. Unassigned: Análise retrospectiva de dados clínicos e de exercício. MÉTODOS: O histórico de exercícios de cavalos de corrida puro‐sangue inglês que tiveram reparo de fratura condilar entre 1 de janeiro de 2018 e 28 de fevereiro de 2021 foi comparado entre cavalos de corrida que tiveram fratura localizada radiograficamente dentro da ranhura parasagital (RPS) ou abaxial à RPS (não RPS). Os grupos foram pareados de acordo com a idade, sexo e último evento (corrida ou trabalho cronometrado) para comparação de RPS e não RPS. Além disso, as variáveis de histórico de exercícios de ambos os grupos foram comparadas a uma população de controle específica, cada uma consistindo em três cavalos de corrida de controle com idade e sexo equivalentes combinados com cada cavalo de corrida afetado pelo último evento (corrida ou trabalho cronometrado oficial) antes da fratura. Results: Oitenta e dois cavalos com 84 fraturas (45 RPS, 39 não RPS) atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. A idade não foi diferente entre os grupos (RPS: 3,4 ± 1,3 anos (média ± DP), não RPS: 3,7 ± 1,3, p=0,3). O número de corridas (RPS: 5,3 ± 7,1, não RPS: 11,4 ± 8,9, p<0,001), furlongs totais de corrida (RPS: 38,2 ± 54,7, não RPS: 79,2 ± 64, p=0,003) e número de dias ativos (RPS: 304 ± 224, não RPS: 488 ± 314, p=0,003) antes da fratura foram maiores; enquanto o número médio de repousos foi menor (RPS: 1,0 ± 1,2, não RPS: 0,5 ± 0,7, p=0,02) em cavalos com fratura não RPS. Cavalos com fratura não RPS tiveram mais diferenças em comparação com seu grupo controle respectivo do que cavalos com fraturas RPS. Os resultados após o reparo da fratura não foram diferentes entre os grupos. PRINCIPAIS LIMITAÇÕES: Estudo retrospectivo, uma população regional de cavalos de corrida, imagens bidimensionais e viés inerente potencial para localização de fraturas, baixo poder estatístico para análise de retorno ao desempenho. CONCLUSÕES: Cavalos de corrida puro‐sangue inglês com fraturas condilares não RPS têm um histórico de exercícios mais extenso do que cavalos com fraturas condilares RPS, sugerindo diferenças na etiopatogenia das fraturas.
© 2024 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-04-07 PubMed ID: 38584321DOI: 10.1111/evj.14091Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the correlation between condylar fracture location and exercise history in Thoroughbred racehorses. The key finding of this study is that horses with non-Parasagittal groove (non-PSG) condylar fractures had a more extensive exercise history compared to those with PSG fractures, which indicates a variation in the genesis of the fractures.

Objective of the Research

  • The main objective of this study was to examine whether exercise history varies relative to the location of condylar fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Methods Employed

  • The researchers carried out a retrospective analysis of clinical and exercise data.
  • This comparative study focused on exercise history of Thoroughbred racehorses that had condylar fracture repair between January 1, 2018, and February 28, 2021.
  • The fractures were categorized based on their radiographic location – either within the Parasagittal groove (PSG) or outside of it (non-PSG).

Control and Study Group

  • The study group was further divided based on their fracture location, forming the PSG and non-PSG groups.
  • Control groups, matched for age, sex, and last event (race or timed work), were compared with each of the PSG and non-PSG groups.
  • Exercise history variables of both PSG and non-PSG groups were individually compared with their specific control population.

Results

  • 82 horses with a total of 84 fractures (45 PSG, 39 non-PSG) were included in the study.
  • Non-PSG fractured horses exhibited greater numbers of races, higher total race furlongs, and more active days prior to the fracture.
  • Non-PSG fractured horses had fewer layups (breaks) compared to PSG fractured horses, indicating a more extensive exercise history.
  • There were more differences when comparing non-PSG fractured horses with their respective control group than there were for the PSG group.
  • There were no differences between the groups in terms of outcomes following fracture repair.

Conclusion

  • Thoroughbred racehorses with non-PSG condylar fractures have a more elaborate exercise history than those with PSG fractures, pointing towards different origins of these fractures.
  • There were some limiting factors to the study including potential bias, two-dimensional imaging, a retrospective approach, and a specific population (one regional racehorse population).

Cite This Article

APA
Bergstrom TC, Spriet M, Carpenter RS, Jacques KL, Stover SM. (2024). Condylar fracture location is correlated to exercise history in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14091

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Bergstrom, Thomas C
  • William R. Prichard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Spriet, Mathieu
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Carpenter, Ryan S
  • Equine Medical Center, Cypress, California, USA.
Jacques, Kevin L
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Stover, Susan M
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

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