Incidence of support limb laminitis in horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts: a retrospective study of 113 horses (2000-2009).
Abstract: To determine the incidence of support limb laminitis among horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts and determine potential risk factors. Methods: Medical records of 113 horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts at an equine referral hospital from 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. Associations between potential risk factors and development of support limb laminitis were evaluated by bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 113 horses that received casts, 14 (12%) developed confirmed support limb laminitis. The bodyweight of the horse and duration of casting in weeks were significantly associated with support limb laminitis. Horses requiring full limb casts or transfixation pin casts were more likely to develop this complication than horses requiring half limb casts. There were no significant associations between developing support limb laminitis and weightbearing capacity on presentation to the hospital, the limb affected (fore- or hind), whether there was a fracture present or breed of horse. Conclusions: Support limb laminitis is a relatively common complication among horses treated with half limb, full limb and transfixation pin casts. Greater durations of casting and higher bodyweights increase the likelihood of developing this complication. Conclusions: Support limb laminitis may occur secondary to any painful unilateral lameness and is not necessarily more likely to develop in horses with severe orthopaedic conditions such as fractures. However, heavier horses, those requiring casts for longer periods of time and those that require a full limb or transfixation pin cast as opposed to a half limb cast should be considered to have an increased risk for developing support limb laminitis post operatively.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-12-07 PubMed ID: 22082439DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00491.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study aims to understand the frequency of support limb laminitis in horses that have undergone half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts, as well as identifying potential risk factors. The research found that 12% of horses developed this condition and that bodyweight of the horse and the duration of casting were both significant contributing factors.
Research Approach
- The study involves a retrospective analysis of medical records from an equine referral hospital, focusing on 113 horses that received half limb, full limb, or transfixation pin casts between the years 2000 to 2009.
- Various potential risk factors for the development of support limb laminitis were examined using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Findings
- Out of the total sample, 14 horses, or about 12%, developed confirmed support limb laminitis post operatively.
- Two factors found significantly associated with support limb laminitis were the horse’s bodyweight and the duration of casting.
- The study found a larger likelihood for horses requiring full limb casts or transfixation pin casts to develop this complication as opposed to the ones requiring half limb casts.
- No considerable associations were found between developing support limb laminitis and the weightbearing capacity at the time of admission to the hospital, the affected limb (fore- or hind), presence of a fracture, or the horse’s breed.
Conclusions
- Horses treated with half limb, full limb, and transfixation pin casts often experienced support limb laminitis as a common complication.
- The incidence of the condition increases with greater durations of casting and higher bodyweight.
- The study also concluded that support limb laminitis can occur secondary to any painful unilateral lameness.
- It is not necessarily more likely to occur in horses with severe orthopaedic conditions such as fractures.
- However, horses that are heavier, those requiring casts for longer durations and ones needing full limb or transfixation pin casts have a higher risk of developing support limb laminitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Virgin JE, Goodrich LR, Baxter GM, Rao S.
(2011).
Incidence of support limb laminitis in horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts: a retrospective study of 113 horses (2000-2009).
Equine Vet J Suppl(40), 7-11.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00491.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 300 W Drake, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Fracture Fixation / veterinary
- Fractures, Bone / therapy
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Inflammation / etiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal
- Orthopedic Fixation Devices / veterinary
- Orthopedic Procedures
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
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