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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.14016

Outcome and racing performance following standing fracture repair in 245 horses.

Abstract: Repair of sagittal proximal phalanx (P1) and parasagittal metacarpal/metatarsal III (MC/MTIII) fractures has evolved over recent decades from a procedure carried out solely under general anaesthesia, to one commonly performed under standing sedation. To date, standing fracture repair has not been evaluated for large cohorts. Objective: To determine short-term (survival to discharge) and long-term (return to racing) outcomes of horses undergoing standing repair of MC/MTIII and P1 fractures, and to compare pre-surgical and post-surgical racing performance. Methods: Single-centre retrospective cohort study. Methods: Retrospective clinical record review of 245 cases undergoing standing repair of MC/MTIII or P1 fractures, 1 January 2007-30 June 2021. Data on signalment, fracture configuration and complications were collected and full race records were retrieved from the Racing Post Database (wwww.racingpost.com). Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine any difference in variables between horses that raced after surgery compared to those that did not. McNemar change and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare pre- and post-surgical racing performance, p ≤ 0.05. Results: Ninety-eight percent [95% confidence interval (CI): 96.2%-99.7%] of horses survived hospital discharge, and 75.1% (95% CI: 68.9%-81.4%) raced after surgery, a median of 241 days later. Horses that raced post-surgery were significantly less likely to have suffered from complications during hospitalisation than those that did not race again [17.3% (95% CI: 11%-24%) vs. 36.5% (95% CI: 23%-50%), p = 0.005]. Comparing pre- and post-operative racing performance, there was no significant difference in earnings per start [median £628.00, interquartile range (IQR) 115.90-1934.80 vs. £653.20, 51.00-1886.40, p = 0.7] or proportion of horses winning [51% (95% CI: 41%-61%) vs. 54% (95% CI: 44%-64%), p = 0.8] or being placed first-third [77% (95% CI: 68%-85%) vs. 71% (95% CI: 62%-80%, p = 0.5] in at least one race. Conclusions: Retrospective nature of study with reliance on clinical records and public databases, limiting data available for analysis. Conclusions: Standing fracture repair is a viable treatment option for MC/MTIII or P1 fractures that returns horses to the racetrack within an acceptable time frame and is capable of restoring pre-surgical athletic ability.
© 2023 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-06 PubMed ID: 37803880DOI: 10.1111/evj.14016Google 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 evaluates the short-term and long-term performance of horses that have undergone a fracture repair procedure known as standing repair of MC/MTIII and P1 fractures. The study finds that the procedure is a viable treatment option, capable of returning racehorses to their pre-surgical athletic abilities.

Methodology and Scope of the Study

  • The research conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study, involving a review of the clinical records of 245 cases.
  • The cases studied were horses that had undergone standing repair of MC/MTIII or P1 fractures within the timeframe of 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2021.
  • Data on signalment, fracture configuration and complications were collected and analyzed.
  • The researchers also retrieved full race records of the horses from the Racing Post Database for comparison of pre-surgical and post-surgical racing performance.

Key Findings from the Study

  • 98% of the horses successfully survived hospital discharge after the surgery. This indicates that the surgery has a high short-term survival rate.
  • Long-term outcome or a return to racing was seen in 75.1% of the cases, implying a good recovery rate in the long term.
  • The median duration of a horse returning to racing after surgery was found to be 241 days, which according to the conclusion is an ‘acceptable time frame’.
  • Horses that returned to racing were significantly less likely to have suffered complications during hospitalisation.
  • Before and after comparison of racing performance showed no significant difference in earnings or the proportion of horses winning or being placed first-third in at least one race. This suggests that the standing fracture repair could restore pre-surgical athletic ability.

Conclusions Drawn and Limitations

  • The conclusions of the study are based on the retrospective nature of the research and reliance on clinical records and public databases, which limit the data available for analysis.
  • The study concludes that standing fracture repair is an effective and viable treatment option for MC/MTIII or P1 fractures in horses, and is successful in returning horses to the racetrack while preserving their athletic abilities.

Cite This Article

APA
Colgate VA, Robinson N, Barnett TP, Bathe AP, Coleridge MOD, Smith LCR, Payne RJ. (2023). Outcome and racing performance following standing fracture repair in 245 horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14016

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Colgate, Victoria A
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
Robinson, Natalie
  • VetPartners Ltd, York, UK.
Barnett, Timothy P
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
Bathe, Andrew P
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
Coleridge, Matthew O D
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
Smith, Lewis C R
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.
Payne, Richard J
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Suffolk, UK.

Grant Funding

  • Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Melly V, Ortved KF, Stewart HL, Stefanovski D, Richardson DW, Bubeck KA, Hogan PM, García-López JM. Plate fixation of small metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures in 27 horses. Vet Surg 2025 Nov;54(8):1537-1548.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.70032pubmed: 41036668google scholar: lookup
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