Nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in 48 standardbred horses.
Abstract: To evaluate nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in Standardbred horses. Methods: Retrospective study of 48 affected horses. Results: Most fractures occurred on the lateral palmar process of the left forelimb or the medial palmar process of the right forelimb; 81% of horses were considered sound enough to return to training and 63% raced. Of those returning to racing, 41% competed in > 10 races, 37% in 2 to 10 races and 22% in only 1 race. There was no difference in performance before and after fracture. Twenty-four of 25 horses had a bar shoe fitted for > 50% of the treatment phase. Of those horses returning to training without a bar shoe, 89% refractured at the same site. Sixty percent of horses returning to training with a bar shoe raced successfully. The total convalescent time, the time rested in a box and the time spelled in a paddock were similar for horses returning to racing and those that did not. The age of the horse had no effect on the ability to return to racing. Conclusions: The prognosis for type II fractures of the distal phalanx is guarded. It is advisable to fit a bar shoe on the horse during convalescence. Horses returning to training and racing with a bar shoe appear less likely to refracture the distal phalanx. Those horses that return to racing can perform at a level similar to that prior to fracture.
Publication Date: 1999-09-24 PubMed ID: 10494393DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb12118.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article evaluates the effectiveness of nonsurgical management for type II fractures of the distal phalanx in Standardbred horses. It concludes that while the treatment prognosis is guarded, horses wearing a bar shoe during convalescence are less likely to refracture. Those returning to racing can perform as well as before their injury.
Methodology and Results
- The study retrospectively analyzed data from 48 Standardbred horses that had sustained type II fractures of the distal phalanx, one of the bones in their hooves.
- The majority of these fractures were observed to occur on the lateral palmar process of the left forelimb, or the medial palmar process of the right forelimb.
- Upon treatment, roughly 81% of the animals were deemed sound enough to return to training, and 63% were able to race again.
- Of these athletes, 41% managed to participate in over 10 races, 37% took part in 2 to 10 races, while 22% could only endure one race.
- Interestingly, the study found that performance levels of the horses remained consistent, showing no difference before and after the fracture.
Treatment and Prognosis
- A notable element of the treatment involved fitting a bar shoe onto 24 out of 25 horses for the majority of their recovery period.
- 89% of horses that returned to training without this adaptation ended up refracturing at the same site, while 60% of those wearing the bar shoe during training were able to race successfully.
- The overall convalescent period, incorporating time rested in a box and spelled in a paddock, was similar for horses that returned to racing and for those that did not.
- The age of the horse showed no influence on their ability to return to competitive racing.
- In conclusion, while the prognosis for this specific type of fracture was deemed guarded, fitting horses with bar shoes during their recovery time resulted in a decreased likelihood of refracture and enabled them to perform similarly to their pre-injury levels.
Cite This Article
APA
O'Sullivan CB, Dart AJ, Malikides N, Rawlinson RJ, Hutchins DR, Hodgson DR.
(1999).
Nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in 48 standardbred horses.
Aust Vet J, 77(8), 501-503.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb12118.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Veterinary Centre, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Camden, New South Wales.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- External Fixators / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb / injuries
- Fractures, Bone / therapy
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Hindlimb / injuries
- Horses / injuries
- Injury Severity Score
- Male
- Medical Records
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Toes / injuries
Citations
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