Equine coxofemoral luxations: 17 cases (1975-1990).
Abstract: The medical records of 17 horses with coxofemoral luxation were examined. Ponies and miniature horses were overrepresented. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 7 years (range 1 month to 25 years). Seventy percent were female. Severe trauma, such as a fall or being kicked by another horse, was a common etiology. Thirty-five percent had other orthopedic injuries associated with the luxation. Closed reduction, with the use of a mechanically assisted calving device, was attained in 5 cases but reluxation occurred shortly afterward in 4 of these. Varying surgical techniques were used in 3 cases but none were successful in maintaining reduction. Ponies and miniature horses are better able to handle chronic lameness and therefore had a better long-term survival rate than horses with a chronically luxated coxofemoral joint.
Publication Date: 1992-01-01 PubMed ID: 1740063
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates coxofemoral luxation (hip dislocation) in horses, analyzing 17 cases reported between 1975 and 1990. It reveals that ponies and miniature horses are more susceptible to this condition, which often occurs from severe trauma, and they manage chronic pain better than full-grown horses, leading to higher survival rates.
Research Population & Demographics
- The research involved the review of medical records of 17 horses diagnosed with coxofemoral luxation from 1975 till 1990.
- The majority of the cases were found to be in ponies and miniature horses, suggesting their higher vulnerability to this condition.
- Horses of different ages, ranging from 1 month to 25 years were presented, with the mean age being at 7 years. Female horses accounted for 70% of the cases.
Etiology & Associated Injuries
- The common cause found behind this condition was severe trauma. This could be due to a fall or incidents such as getting kicked by another horse.
- Concurrent orthopedic injuries were detected in 35% of the cases with luxation, displaying the possibility of other injuries being associated with coxofemoral luxation.
Treatment & Results
- Closed reduction using a mechanically assisted calving device was attempted for treatment in 5 cases. However, in 4 of these cases, reluxation (re-dislocation) happened shortly afterward, suggesting a low success rate of this intervention.
- Different surgical techniques were also experimented with in 3 cases, none of which could succeed in maintaining the reduction, implying the ineffectiveness of these techniques.
Species Variation in Survival Rates
- The study found that ponies and miniature horses could handle chronic lameness better as they had superior long-term survival rates compared to larger horses dealing with a chronically luxated coxofemoral joint.
- This indicates that smaller breeds’ ability to manage chronic pain might lead to longer life spans even with a dislocated hip.
Cite This Article
APA
Malark JA, Nixon AJ, Haughland MA, Brown MP.
(1992).
Equine coxofemoral luxations: 17 cases (1975-1990).
Cornell Vet, 82(1), 79-90.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Hip Dislocation / etiology
- Hip Dislocation / therapy
- Hip Dislocation / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Prognosis
- Recurrence
- Retrospective Studies
- Traction / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Carnevale L, Tagliabue T, Rabbogliatti V, Bona R, Cavallier F. Return to Athletic Activity of a Shetland Pony Mare with Coxofemoral Luxation Treated by Femoral Head Ostectomy. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 10;15(4).
- Sprick M, Koch C. Successful Treatment of a Coxofemoral Luxation in a Shetland Pony by Closed Reduction and Prolonged Immobilization Using a Full-Body Animal Rescue Sling. Case Rep Vet Med 2020;2020:2424653.
- Ludwig EK, Byron CR. Femoral head ostectomy and medial patellar ligament desmotomy to treat a pregnant miniature horse with coxofemoral joint luxation and upward fixation of the patella. Can Vet J 2017 May;58(5):498-502.
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