Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses.
Abstract: Ultrasonographic examination was used to define the severity of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in 73 National Hunt or point-to-point racehorses and the factors influencing the outcome of the cases were examined. Thirty-four of the horses (46 per cent) returned to work with an average time out of training of 13.5 months. The rate of recurrence of the injury was 35 per cent. The severity of the lesions was related to the outcome; all the mildly affected horses returned to work, with 63 per cent of them racing and an average time out of training of 10.2 months; 50 per cent of the moderately affected horses returned to work, and 30 per cent raced with an average time out of training of 11.3 months; 30 per cent of the severely affected horses worked, and 23 per cent raced with an average time out of training of 18.3 months. The differences in outcome between unilateral and bilateral injuries within each severity group were not statistically significant. Seventy-six per cent of horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans returned to work, compared with 46 per cent of conservatively managed horses and 50 per cent of horses treated with laser therapy. However, these differences were not statistically significant and the rate of recurrence of the injury in the horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans was 50 per cent compared with only 31 per cent in the conservatively managed horses. Seventy per cent of the mares and 47 per cent of the geldings were retired from racing.
Publication Date: 1993-05-08 PubMed ID: 8506599DOI: 10.1136/vr.132.19.476Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on the impact of injuries to a particular tendon found in racehorses on their ability to perform, with severity of injury and the treatment method used identified as key influential factors.
Research Objectives
- The objective of the study was to understand the severity of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in racehorses, using ultrasonographic examinations, and analyze the impact on their performance.
- The researchers also wanted to examine the varying factors, including the type of injury, severity, and variety of treatment methods, and how these factors influenced the outcome for the horses.
Key Findings
- The study found that less than half the injured horses returned to work after an average absence of 13.5 months.
- The severity of the lesions greatly influenced the results. Horses with mild injuries had a significantly better chance of returning to racing compared to horses with moderate and severe injuries. The latter also required a longer recovery time before returning to work.
- No significant difference was observed in the outcomes of horses with unilateral injuries versus those with bilateral injuries within each severity group.
- 76 per cent of the horses that were treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans, a specific treatment, returned to work compared to only 46 and 50 percent of horses that underwent conservative management or laser therapy respectively.
- A high recurrence rate of 35 percent was observed. Again, the severity of the initial injury played a role here, with horses treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans recording a higher recurrence rate than in conservatively managed horses.
- There was a noticeable gender difference in the outcome, with a majority of the mares being retired from racing compared to less than half of the geldings.
Implications
- The findings from the study indicate that the severity of the tendon injury significantly affects the performance outcome and recovery time of racehorses, with milder injuries yielding a better return-to-work rate and a shorter recovery period.
- The treatment method used also impacts the outcome. Injuries treated with polysulphated glycosaminoglycans seem more successful in getting the horses to return to work, although this treatment approach might lead to higher recurrence.
Cite This Article
APA
Marr CM, Love S, Boyd JS, McKellar Q.
(1993).
Factors affecting the clinical outcome of injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon in National Hunt and point-to-point racehorses.
Vet Rec, 132(19), 476-479.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.132.19.476 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Glasgow Veterinary School.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
- Horses / injuries
- Laser Therapy
- Recurrence
- Rest
- Sports
- Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Tendon Injuries / therapy
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography
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