Identification of a previously unreported site of subchondral bone injury in the dorsodistolateral calcaneus in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: Increasing accessibility and advancements in computed tomographic (CT) imaging improve understanding of the contributors to poor performance in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Objective: To characterise an unreported site of tarsal subchondral bone injury (SBI) in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study. Methods: Tarsal CT scans of 108 horses were reviewed for evidence of SBI in the dorsodistolateral calcaneus (DDLC). Signalment, including age, breed, sex, and discipline of horses, was recorded. The association of DDLC SBI with Thoroughbred racehorse compared to other breeds/disciplines was calculated. Nuclear scintigraphic scans of the hindlimbs of Thoroughbreds between 2007 and 2022 were also reviewed for increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) suggestive of DDLC SBI. Results: Tarsal CT scans of 108 horses were analysed and lesion location and type were recorded. DDLC SBI was identified in 8/108 (7.3%) horses. All lesions were found in racing Thoroughbreds (Fischer's exact test p = 0.002) and in 20% (8/40) of racing Thoroughbreds that underwent tarsal CT. DDLC SBI was determined to be the primary cause of lameness in 3/8. Third tarsal bone fracture was considered the primary cause of lameness in 3/8 horses. A total of 1663 nuclear scintigraphic scans of 1603 Thoroughbred horses were reviewed. Increased IRU in the DDLC was present in 13 horses (0.9%). Conclusions: Study limitations include the retrospective nature of the study, incomplete medical records, lack of sensitivity/specificity data for lesion identification on various imaging modalities or comparison to histopathology, and limited substantive follow-up information. Conclusions: The DDLC is a previously unreported site of SBI in the Thoroughbred racehorse. The lesion can be the primary source of lameness but may also be found in horses with other clinically relevant osseous injuries. This lesion may be underestimated in the Thoroughbred population. Further investigation is required to determine the true prevalence, clinical relevance, and prognosis in Thoroughbred racehorses with this injury. Unassigned: A maior acessibilidade à tomografia computadorizada (TC) está aprimorando o conhecimento de fatores contribuintes à baixa performance de cavalos puro sangue inglês (PSI) de corrida. Objective: Caracterizar um local não previamente descrito de lesão óssea subcondral (LOS) no tarso de cavalos PSI de corrida. Unassigned: Estudo analítico transversal retrospectivo. Methods: TC do tarso de 108 cavalos foram revisadas para detectar evidência de LOS na região dorso-distal-lateral do calcâneo (DDLC). Informações de idade, raça, sexo e modalidade esportiva dos cavalos foram revisados. A presença de LOS na região DDLC em cavalos PSI de corrida foi comparada com a presença da mesma lesão em outras raças e modalidades esportivas. Cintilografia nuclear dos membros pélvicos de cavalos PSI de corrida entre 2007 e 2020 também foram revisadas para a presença de evidência de aumento de captação radiofarmacêutica (CRF) sugestiva de LOS na região DDLC. Results: LOS na região DDLC for identificada em 8/108 (7.3%) dos equinos. Todas as lesões foram encontradas em PSI de corrida (teste exato de Fischer p = 0.002), e em 20% (8/40) dos PSI de corrida que tiveram o exame de TC feito. LOS na região DDLC foi determinada como a causa primária da claudicação em 3/8 dos casos. Fratura do terceiro osso do tarso foi considerada a causa primária de claudicação em 3/8 dos cavalos. 1663 exames de cintilografia de 1603 cavalos PSI de corrida foram revisados. Aumento da CRF na região DDLC estava presente em 13 equinos (0.9%). PRINCIPAIS LIMITAÇÕES: As limitações deste estudo incluem a natureza retrospectiva do mesmo, prontuários médicos incompletos, falta de dados de sensibilidade e especificidade da lesão nos métodos diagnósticos e comparação histológica, e informação de acompanhamento dos casos limitada. CONCLUSÕES: A região DDLC é um local de LOS não previamente descrito em cavalos PSI de corrida. A lesão pode ser a causa primária de claudicação, mas também pode ser encontrada em casos que apresentam outras lesões relevantes. Essa lesão pode ser subestimada em cavalos PSI de corrida. Mais investigações são necessárias para determinar a prevalência real, a relevância clínica e o prognóstico dessas lesões em cavalos PSI de corrida.
© 2023 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2023-01-30 PubMed ID: 36716290DOI: 10.1111/evj.13928Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper explores a previously unstudied type of bone injury in the hind limbs of Thoroughbred racehorses, which was identified using advanced CT imaging technology.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary objective of this study was to investigate and characterize an unidentified type of Subchondral Bone Injury (SBI) that affects the dorsodistolateral calcaneus (DDLC) in Thoroughbred racehorses.
- The authors conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study to achieve this goal. They analyzed CT scans from the tarsal (ankle) region of 108 horses to seek evidence of DDLC SBI.
- They collected data regarding each horse’s age, breed, sex, and discipline.
- They compared the presence of DDLC SBI in Thoroughbred racehorses to other breeds and disciplines.
- To supplement the CT scan results, they also reviewed nuclear scintigraphic scans from the hindlimbs of Thoroughbreds taken between 2007 and 2022, looking for increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) suggestive of DDLC SBI.
Results
- The tarsal CT scans of 108 horses were assessed. The researchers noted the location and type of any lesions detected.
- DDLC SBI was detected in 8 out of 108 horses evaluated, accounting for 7.3% of the sample. Every lesion was discovered in Thoroughbred racehorses, thereby indicating a significant association between this breed/discipline and the presence of DDLC SBI.
- 20% of the specific subset of Thoroughbred racehorses that had undergone tarsal CT also showed this injury.
- The DDLC SBI was determined to be the primary cause of lameness in 3 out of 8 cases. A third tarsal bone fracture was identified as the primary cause of lameness in another 3 out of 8 horses.
- They also reviewed 1663 nuclear scintigraphic scans of 1603 Thoroughbred horses and found increased IRU in the DDLC region in 13 horses, signifying about 0.9% of the studied group.
Conclusions and Future Investigation
- Despite limitations like incomplete medical records, lack of specific data for lesion identification, and limited follow-up information due to the retrospective nature of the study, this research provides significant insights.
- The study primarily identifies the DDLC as a previously unknown site of SBI in Thoroughbred racehorses.
- The injury can be the cause of lameness but may also exist in conjunction with other relevant bone injuries.
- The findings suggest that this type of injury might be underestimated in the Thoroughbred population, which further stresses the need for more investigation.
- Future studies should look to determine the true prevalence, clinical relevance, and prognosis of DDLC SBI in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Cite This Article
APA
Melly V, Ortved KF, Manzi TJ, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D, Wulster KB.
(2023).
Identification of a previously unreported site of subchondral bone injury in the dorsodistolateral calcaneus in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13928 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Grant Funding
- University of Pennsylvania
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