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Equine veterinary journal2011; 44(1); 13-19; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00352.x

Descriptive epidemiology of joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses in training.

Abstract: No large scale epidemiological studies have previously quantified the occurrence of carpal, metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Objective: To develop an objective classification system for carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries and estimate the incidence of these injuries in young Thoroughbreds in flat race training. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, data on daily exercise and veterinary-diagnosed carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries were collected from Thoroughbreds monitored since starting training as yearlings, for up to 2 years. Cases were classified in one of 4 categories: 1) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint based on clinical examination and/or diagnostic analgesia; no diagnostic imaging performed; 2) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint based on clinical examination and/or diagnostic analgesia; radiographs taken but no abnormalities detected; 3) evidence of abnormality of subchondral bone and/or articular margin(s) on diagnostic imaging and 4) evidence of discontinuity of the articular surface on diagnostic imaging. Incidence rates and rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression, adjusting for trainer-level clustering. Results: A total of 647 horses from 13 trainers throughout England contributed 7785 months at risk of joint injury. One-hundred-and-eighty-four cases of carpal (n = 82) or MCP/MTP (n = 102) joint injury were reported in 165 horses and classified in Category 1 (n = 21), Category 2 (n = 21), Category 3 (n = 72) or Category 4 (n = 70). The overall joint injury rate was 1.8 per 100 horse months (95% CI = 1.2, 2.8); rates did not differ significantly between 2- and 3-year-olds but females sustained Category 1 injuries at triple the rate of males (P = 0.03). Joint injury rates differed significantly between trainers (P<0.001) and there was trainer variation in anatomical site and severity of injury. Conclusions: Carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries are an important cause of morbidity in Thoroughbred racehorses. Identification of modifiable risk factors for these injuries may reduce their incidence.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-15 PubMed ID: 21496103DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00352.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article conducted a large-scale study on joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. It sought to create a classification system for these injuries and estimate their incidence in young Thoroughbred horses undergoing flat race training.

Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of the study was to establish a quantifiable record of specific types of joint injuries such as carpal and MCP/MTP (metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal) joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • The researchers aimed to create an objective classification system for these injuries and evaluate their rate of occurrence in young Thoroughbreds during flat race training.
  • In order to achieve this, they carried out a prospective cohort study where they collected data on daily exercise and veterinarian-diagnosed carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries.
  • This process was monitored from when Thoroughbreds began training as yearlings for up to two years.
  • Their injury cases were categorized into four based on clinical examinations, diagnostic analgesia and diagnostic imaging results.

Results

  • A sample size of 647 horses from 13 trainers across England were used for the study, contributing to a total of 7785 months at risk of joint injury.
  • The study reported a total of 184 cases of carpal or MCP/MTP joint injuries occurring in 165 horses. These injuries were classified according to the system they created.
  • They found that the overall rate of joint injuries was 1.8 per 100 horse months.
  • The study revealed that injury rates didn’t significantly vary between 2-year-old and 3-year-old horses. However, female horses experienced Category 1 injuries three times more than their male counterparts.
  • The research also highlighted significant variance between different trainers in terms of both anatomical site of injury and severity of injury.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes by emphasizing the influence of carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries on Thoroughbred racehorse morbidity.
  • The researchers suggest that the identification of modifiable risk factors for these injuries could potentially decrease their incidence.

Cite This Article

APA
Reed SR, Jackson BF, Mc Ilwraith CW, Wright IM, Pilsworth R, Knapp S, Wood JL, Price JS, Verheyen KL. (2011). Descriptive epidemiology of joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Equine Vet J, 44(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00352.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Pages: 13-19

Researcher Affiliations

Reed, S R
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK. srreed@rvc.ac.uk
Jackson, B F
    Mc Ilwraith, C W
      Wright, I M
        Pilsworth, R
          Knapp, S
            Wood, J L N
              Price, J S
                Verheyen, K L P

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Cohort Studies
                  • England / epidemiology
                  • Female
                  • Forelimb
                  • Hindlimb
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / etiology
                  • Horses
                  • Joints / injuries
                  • Lameness, Animal
                  • Male
                  • Osteoarthritis / epidemiology
                  • Osteoarthritis / etiology
                  • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
                  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
                  • Running
                  • Sports

                  Citations

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