Conservative treatment of a comminuted cervical fracture in a racehorse.
Abstract: The 'classical' or 'Hangman' neck fracture involves the odontoid peg (process) of the second cervical vertebra (C2), and is described as an axial, dens or odontoid peg fracture in both the veterinary and human literature. Possible surgical treatment in both foals and adult horses requires a technique that allows decompression, anatomical alignment and stabilisation of the odontoid fracture. A limited number of surgical cases in foals have been reported in literature, but never in an adult horse. A mature Irish Thoroughbred racehorse was diagnosed with a type 2a odontoid peg fracture. Clinical signs included reluctance to move the head and neck, a left hind limb lameness and a neurological status of grade 2. The horse was treated conservatively and raced successfully five months after the diagnosed injury.
Publication Date: 2008-04-01 PubMed ID: 21851712PubMed Central: PMC3113870DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-61-4-244Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on the successful conservative treatment of a complex neck fracture (known as the ‘Hangman’ fracture) in an adult racehorse, which allowed the horse to resume racing five months post-diagnosis.
Explanation of the Research
The paper discusses the treatment of a particular kind of neck fracture that affects the odontoid peg process of the second cervical vertebra (C2), often known as the ‘Hangman’ fracture.
- The Hangman fracture is referred to as an axial, dens, or odontoid peg fracture in veterinary and human literature. The odontoid process, or peg, is a bony projection found in the second cervical vertebra, and it plays a role in allowing the head and neck to rotate.
- The primary symptoms in this case were the horse’s unwillingness to move its head and neck, a distinct lameness in the left hind limb, and a neurological status graded as 2.
- Such fractures are typically complex, requiring surgical intervention that allows for decompression, anatomical alignment, and stabilization of the fracture. In foals (young horses), there have been some reported cases of surgical treatment, but never before in an adult horse.
- In this case, instead of surgery, a conservative treatment approach was chosen for a mature Irish Thoroughbred racehorse diagnosed with a type 2a odontoid peg fracture.
- Five months after the treatment, the horse returned to successful competitive racing, demonstrating the efficacy of the conservative treatment approach in such cases.
Significance of the Research
This research provides valuable insights into the treatment of complex neck fractures in large animals, especially horses.
- The successful treatment of an adult racehorse with a type 2a odontoid peg fracture using conservative methods demonstrates a potentially effective, non-surgical alternative for such complex cases.
- This study forms a foundation for future research into conservative treatment strategies for similar fractures in large animals.
- Moreover, the ability of the horse to return to competitive racing within a relatively short period after treatment encourages the use of such methods in the sporting industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Vos Nj.
(2008).
Conservative treatment of a comminuted cervical fracture in a racehorse.
Ir Vet J, 61(4), 244-247.
https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-61-4-244 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unit of Veterinary Surgery, University Veterinary Hospital, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. nvos@mail.usyd.edu.au.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Hülsmeyer VI, Flatz K, Putschbach K, Bechter MR, Weiler S, Fischer A, Feist M. Traumatic odontoid process synchondrosis fracture with atlantoaxial instability in a calf: clinical presentation and imaging findings.. Ir Vet J 2015;68(1):6.
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