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Veterinary surgery : VS2019; 49(1); 88-95; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13314

Long-term clinical and radiographic results after lag screw ostheosynthesis of short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses not used for racing.

Abstract: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty-one horses. Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic activity level. In total, 15 horses with 19 fractures had clinical and radiographic assessment after a minimum of 12 months. Among those, nine of 15 horses were sound at the trot, and six of 15 were mildly lame. Complete radiographic healing was confirmed in six limbs, and the facture line was evident in 13. The position of the proximal screw was not associated with radiographic fracture healing or return to soundness. Conclusions: Most horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation returned to previous activity levels, although radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete 12 months or more after surgery. Conclusions: Lag screw fixation is a valid treatment for horses not used for racing that are experiencing an SIPSFP1 and results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing cannot be expected.
© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2019-08-21 PubMed ID: 31433505DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13314Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about the long-term outcomes of non-racing horses that underwent lag screw fixation for a type of fracture in the proximal phalanx, a bone in the horse’s leg. The study found that most of these horses were able to return to their previous activity levels, but complete healing of the fracture as observable in radiographic images was not always achieved.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • This study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of non-racing horses treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) through a method known as lag screw fixation.
  • A total of 31 horses’ medical records, specifically those with an SIPSFP1 diagnosis from 2008 to 2014, were retrospectively examined. Long-term outcomes (≥12 months) were evaluated based on telephone interviews along with clinical and radiographic examinations.

Research Findings

  • Warmblood was the most common breed among the cases included in the study.
  • Of the horses with long-term interview information, 27 out of 31 managed to return to their prior athletic activity level.
  • Out of the 15 horses with 19 fractures who underwent clinical and radiographic assessment after at least 12 months, nine were sound at the trot while six were mildly lame.
  • Complete radiographic fracture healing was observed in six limbs, but the fracture line was still evident in 13 limbs.
  • The position of the proximal screw had no link with radiographic fracture healing or a return to soundness.

Research Conclusions

  • The vast majority of horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation were able to get back to their original activity levels, despite the fact that radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete a year or more after the surgery.
  • The study concluded that lag screw fixation is a viable treatment for non-racing horses suffering from an SIPSFP1. It results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing should not be expected.

Cite This Article

APA
Bryner MF, Hoey SE, Montavon S, Fürst AE, Kümmerle JM. (2019). Long-term clinical and radiographic results after lag screw ostheosynthesis of short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses not used for racing. Vet Surg, 49(1), 88-95. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13314

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 1
Pages: 88-95

Researcher Affiliations

Bryner, Marco F
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Hoey, Seamus E
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Montavon, Stéphane
  • Veterinary Service, Swiss Army, Bern, Switzerland.
Fürst, Anton E
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Kümmerle, Jan M
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Screws / veterinary
  • Female
  • Foot Injuries / surgery
  • Foot Injuries / veterinary
  • Fracture Healing
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horses / injuries
  • Horses / surgery
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Records / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Turek B, Jankowski K, Pawlikowski M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Innovative approach in the treatment of comminuted proximal phalanx fractures in horses based on biomechanical modelling. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 19;15(1):13562.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95577-8pubmed: 40253474google scholar: lookup
  2. Faulkner JE, Joostens Z, Broeckx BJG, Hauspie S, Mariën T, Vanderperren K. Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Sagittal Groove Disease of the Equine Proximal Phalanx Using a Classification System in 29 Non-Racing Sports Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 21;14(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14010034pubmed: 38200766google scholar: lookup
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