Epidemiology of fractures: The role of kick injuries in equine fractures.
Abstract: Fractures occur commonly in equids and often are associated with complications and a poor outcome. There are no reports on the epidemiology of fractures in a heterogeneous equine population. Objective: To study the epidemiology of fractures in a heterogeneous equine population, focusing on differences between fractures resulting from a kick and fractures, resulting from other causes and investigating predictors for recovery. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Data of all equids presented to the Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich between 1990 and 2014 and diagnosed with a fracture were reviewed and those with a known cause were included in this study. Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests were used to compare recovery rates of fractures resulting from a kick and fractures resulting from other causes, and a logistic regression was carried out for multivariate analysis of the most important factors affecting recovery. Results: Here, 1144 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of all fractures (with a known cause), 43.6% were the result of a kick from another equid. Kicks often produced open fractures (44.7%) that involved bones of the limbs (85.6%). Overall recovery was 70.1%. Logistic regression showed that high-grade lameness accompanying the fracture and severe comminution negatively affected recovery. Conclusions: The equids in this study were drawn from a referred population, which likely precluded the inclusion of both minor fractures and catastrophic fractures that necessitated immediate euthanasia. Moreover, many cases were excluded because the cause of the fracture could not be determined from the patient record. Conclusions: Kicks are the most common cause of fractures in a heterogeneous equine population and measures to reduce the incidence of kicks are necessary in group-housing systems.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018-02-28 PubMed ID: 29441693DOI: 10.1111/evj.12819Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper aims to investigate the common causes of fractures in horses and the factors affecting recovery, finding that kick injuries are a prevalent cause of fractures. Special attention is given to the differences between fractures due to kicks and those due to other causes.
Research Methods
- The researchers collected and analyzed retrospective data from equids (or horses) presented at the Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich from the years 1990-2014.
- All horses diagnosed with fractures and had a known cause for those fractures were included in this study.
- They then used Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests to compare expected and observed recovery rates, for fractures resulting from kicks and fractures due to other causes.
- A logistic regression was carried out to assess and determine which factors were most influential on recovery outcomes.
Key Findings
- The investigation found that from the 1144 cases that met the study’s criteria, 43.6% of all fractures with a known cause were the result of a kick from another horse.
- Kick injuries often led to open fractures (44.7%) and affected the bones of the limbs (85.6%).
- Overall recovery rate from these fractures was 70.1%, and high-grade lameness accompanying the fracture and severe fragmentation of the bone (comminution), negatively affected recovery rates.
Limitations and Conclusions
- Notably, the horses in the study were from a referred population, meaning minor fractures and catastrophic fractures resulting in immediate euthanasia were possibly not covered in this research.
- The study also likely missed instances where the fracture cause couldn’t be determined from patient records and, hence, these cases were excluded.
- In conclusion, this study is significant as it highlights that kick injuries are the most common cause of fractures in a heterogeneous equine population.
- The authors suggest implementing measures to reduce the incidence of kicks in group-housing systems for horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Donati B, Fürst AE, Hässig M, Jackson MA.
(2018).
Epidemiology of fractures: The role of kick injuries in equine fractures.
Equine Vet J, 50(5), 580-586.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12819 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Section of Herd Health, Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / etiology
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Wounds and Injuries / etiology
- Wounds and Injuries / pathology
- Wounds and Injuries / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Mazaheri-Khameneh R, Azizi S, Davoodi F, Gooran MM. Surgical management of a Salter-Harris type I proximal physeal fracture of the tibia in a foal: a case report. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 16;18(1):183.
- Bowers K, Weinhandl JT, Anderson DE. A review of equine tibial fractures. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):171-181.
- Grzeskowiak RM, Alghazali KM, Hecht S, Donnell RL, Doherty TJ, Smith CK, Anderson DE, Biris AS, Adair HS. Influence of a novel scaffold composed of polyurethane, hydroxyapatite, and decellularized bone particles on the healing of fourth metacarpal defects in mares. Vet Surg 2021 Jul;50(5):1117-1127.
- El Brini Z, Mhar I, Bouktaib FE, Piro M, Daniel C, Alyakine H. Common Radiographic Findings in Moroccan Working Equids: A Retrospective Study (2015-2022). Vet Sci 2026 Jan 8;13(1).
- Zedda M, Babosova R, Gadau S, Lepore G, Succu S, Farina V. Does a relation between bone histomorphometry and fractures exist? The case of the equine radius and tibia. Vet Med (Praha) 2024 Sep;69(9):307-313.
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