FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Irish veterinary journal2008; 61(4); 244-247; doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-61-4-244

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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2008-04-01 PubMed ID: 21851712PubMed Central: PMC3113870DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-61-4-244Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 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

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 0368-0762
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 4
Pages: 244-247

Researcher Affiliations

Vos, Nj
  • 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.

References

This article includes 36 references
  1. Anderson LD, D'Alonzo RT. Fractures of the odontoid process of the axis.. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1974 Dec;56(8):1663-74.
    pubmed: 4434035
  2. Bailey CJ, Rose RJ, Reid SW, Hodgson DR. Wastage in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry: a survey of Sydney trainers.. Aust Vet J 1997 Jan;75(1):64-6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1997.tb13836.xpubmed: 9034505google scholar: lookup
  3. Bailey CJ, Reid SW, Hodgson DR, Bourke JM, Rose RJ. Flat, hurdle and steeple racing: risk factors for musculoskeletal injury.. Equine Vet J 1998 Nov;30(6):498-503.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04525.xpubmed: 9844968google scholar: lookup
  4. Barnes HG, Tucker RL, Grant BD, Roberts GD, Prades M. Lag screw stabilization of a cervical vertebral fracture by use of computed tomography in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995 Jan 15;206(2):221-3.
    pubmed: 7751226
  5. Belaval E, Roy S. Fractures to the Cervical spine. Journal of American College of Emergency Physicians 2005;19(11):2–11.
  6. Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TD, Clarke AF, Slocombe RF. Risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse fatality in jump starts in Victoria, Australia (1989-2004).. Equine Vet J 2007 Sep;39(5):422-8.
    pubmed: 17910267doi: 10.2746/042516407x183757google scholar: lookup
  7. Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TD, Clarke AF, Slocombe RF. Risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse fatality in flat starts in Victoria, Australia (1989-2004).. Equine Vet J 2007 Sep;39(5):430-7.
    doi: 10.2746/042516407X183162pubmed: 17910268google scholar: lookup
  8. Braund KG. Acute spinal cord traumatic compression. .
  9. Butler JA, Colles CM, Dyson SJ, Kold SE, Poulos PW. Clinical Radiology of the Horse. .
  10. Clayton HM, Townsend HG. Kinematics of the cervical spine of the adult horse.. Equine Vet J 1989 May;21(3):189-92.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb02139.xpubmed: 2731506google scholar: lookup
  11. DeLahunta A. Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology. .
  12. Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Case JT, Ardans A, Read DH, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore J, Stoltz J, Woods LW. Fatal musculoskeletal injuries incurred during racing and training in thoroughbreds.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996 Jan 1;208(1):92-6.
    pubmed: 8682713
  13. Funk KA, Erickson ED. Case report. A case of atlanto-axial sub-luxation in a horse.. Can Vet J 1968 May;9(5):120-3.
    pmc: PMC1697181pubmed: 5689810
  14. Gage ED. Surgical repair of a fractured cervical spine in the dog.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1968 Dec 1;153(11):1407-11.
    pubmed: 5693915
  15. Gelberg HB, Zachary JF, Everitt JI, Jensen RC, Smetzer DL. Sudden death in training and racing Thoroughbred horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1985 Dec 15;187(12):1354-6.
    pubmed: 4086352
  16. Grant BD, Hoskinson JJ, Barbee DD. Ventral stabilization for decompression of caudal cervical spinal cord compression in the horse. Proceedings American Association of Equine Practitioners 1985;32:75–90.
  17. Graziano G, Jaggers C, Lee M, Lynch W. A comparative study of fixation techniques for type II fractures of the odontoid process.. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1993 Dec;18(16):2383-7.
    doi: 10.1097/00007632-199312000-00003pubmed: 8303437google scholar: lookup
  18. Guffy MM, Coffman JR, Strafuss AC. Atlantoaxial luxation in a foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1969 Sep 1;155(5):754-7.
    pubmed: 5816725
  19. Johnson BJ, Stover SM, Daft BM, Kinde H, Read DH, Barr BC, Anderson M, Moore J, Woods L, Stoltz J. Causes of death in racehorses over a 2 year period.. Equine Vet J 1994 Jul;26(4):327-30.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04395.xpubmed: 8575402google scholar: lookup
  20. Julian RJ, Maxwell TW. Fracture of the Cervical Vertebrae in a Heifer.. Can Vet J 1963 Jan;4(1):29-30.
    pmc: PMC1695197pubmed: 17421567
  21. Krook L, Maylin G. Fractures in Thoroughbred race horses. Cornell Veterinary Journal 1988;78:77–133.
  22. Lundvall RL. Ataxia of colts as a result of injuries. Norden News Summer 1969. p. 6.
  23. McCoy DJ, Shires PK, Beadle R. Ventral approach for stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to odontoid fracture in a foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1984 Sep 1;185(5):545-9.
    pubmed: 6480474
  24. Nixon AJ. Fractures of the vertebrae. .
  25. Nixon AJ, Stashak TS. Laminectomy for relief of atlantoaxial subluxation in four horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988 Sep 15;193(6):677-82.
    pubmed: 3192443
  26. Owen R, Maxie LL. Repair of fractured dens of the axis in a foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1978 Oct 1;173(7):854-6.
    pubmed: 711607
  27. Papageorges M, Gavin PR, Sande RD, Barbee DD, Grant BD. Radiographic and myelographic examination of the cervical vertebral column in 306 ataxic horses. Veterinary Radiology 1987;28:53–59.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1987.tb01725.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  28. Robinson PA, Currall JH. Surgical repair of a cervical fracture/dislocation in a mature horse.. N Z Vet J 1981 Mar;29(3):28.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.1981.34786pubmed: 6942334google scholar: lookup
  29. Ryan TTKF. Fractures of the odontoid process of the axis. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 1982;64:417–421.
  30. Sandler AN, Tator CH. Review of the effect of spinal cord trama on the vessels and blood flow in the spinal cord.. J Neurosurg 1976 Dec;45(6):638-46.
    doi: 10.3171/jns.1976.45.6.0638pubmed: 824416google scholar: lookup
  31. Schneider JE. Immobilizing cervical vertebral fractures. Proceedings American Association of Equine Practitioners 1981;27:253–255.
  32. Slone DE, Bergfeld WA, Walker TL. Surgical decompression for traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation in a weanling filly.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1979 Jun 1;174(11):1234-6.
    pubmed: 438054
  33. Trotter EJ. Surgical repair of fractured axis in a dog.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1972 Aug 1;161(3):303-6.
    pubmed: 5042964
  34. Vaughan LC, Mason BJE. A clinical-pathological study of racing accidents in horses. RVC: London; 1976.
  35. Verheggen R, Jansen J. Fractures of the odontoid process: analysis of the functional results after surgery.. Eur Spine J 1994;3(3):146-50.
    doi: 10.1007/BF02190576pubmed: 7866825google scholar: lookup
  36. Wagner PC, Bagby GW, Grant BD, Gallina A, Ratzlaff M, Sande R. Surgical stabilization of the equine cervical spine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1979;8:7–12.

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. 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.
    doi: 10.1186/s13620-015-0034-5pubmed: 25937919google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.