Fracture of the wing of the ilium, adjacent to the sacroiliac joint, in thoroughbred racehorses.

The study focuses on the spontaneous fractures of horses’ pelvis, specifically at the wing of the ilium, which occurred during normal exercise training and racing. It documents the diagnosis, treatment process, and outcomes of ten Thoroughbred horses affected by such fractures over a span of two years.

Research Context and Objectives

• The research was done over a two-year period, in which sagittal fractures of the wing of the ilium were diagnosed in ten Thoroughbred horses.
• These fractures were noted as spontaneous, happening during normal exercise during training and racing, with no historical evidence of trauma causing it.
• The primary focus of the study was, therefore, to understand the causes, implications, and possible treatments of these spontaneous fractures.

Diagnosis and Findings

• The fractures were identified and diagnosed using ultrasound scans of the horses’ pelvis. In these scans, the fractures showed up as a visible discontinuity of the sacral wing of the ilium.
• Three of the horses also presented an irregular contour in the vicinity of the acute fracture, suggestive of periosteal callus or new bone growth around the fracture area, indicating a healing process.
• Nuclear scan, or gamma scintigraphy, was performed on all the horses, further confirmed the fractures as it showed a focal increase in isotope uptake just adjacent to the sacral tuberosity, the bony prominence near the sacroiliac joint.

Treatment and Outcomes

• Out of the ten horses, nine were subjected to conservative treatment that included rest.
• One horse with bilateral fractures, i.e., fractures on both sides of the pelvis, was euthanized immediately following the discovery of the injury due to the severity of the condition.
• With rest, a majority of the afflicted horses (six out of nine) were able to return to full training. Notably, two of these even went on to win races, showing no further signs of lameness or discomfort.

Study Conclusion

• The research successfully highlighted the occurrence of spontaneous sacroiliac fractures in Thoroughbred horses during normal training and racing activities, drew attention to the diagnosis of these fractures, and observed the efficacy of conservative treatment methods.
• The study also provides valuable insights for further studies on the causative factors of these spontaneous fractures, as well as more comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation strategies for affected horses.