Outcome following repair of 63 sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in UK Thoroughbreds using either a triangular or linear screw configuration.
Abstract: A triangular screw configuration has been suggested as preferable for repair of sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx. Objective: To assess the outcome of a triangular screw construct for repair of incomplete and complete minimally displaced proximal phalanx fractures under standing sedation in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses, compared with a cohort repaired using a linear screw configuration. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were accessed to garner clinical data. Date of return to racing was determined from www.racingpost.com. Survival data were compared using log-rank test. Results: Sixty-two horses with one horse having two separate fractures. Fifty-four fractures were repaired using triangular screw configuration, 10 with a linear screw configuration. 81% (43/53) of horses with triangular repair returned to racing at a median of 289 days (161-482 days), 70% (7/10) horses with linear screws returned to racing at a median of 351 days (230-815 days). Conclusions: A limited number of horses underwent conventional (linear) screw placement. Conclusions: A triangular screw configuration placed in the standing sedated horse is an effective way to repair incomplete and complete minimally displaced proximal phalanx fractures. The rate of return to racing was excellent with a low rate of complications.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-12 PubMed ID: 32525243DOI: 10.1111/evj.13304Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article was about a comparison between two methods of repairing sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses, using either a triangular or linear screw configuration. The results showed that the triangular screw configuration had a higher success rate and a shorter recovery period.
Objective and Methodology
- This study was meant to assess the outcome of using a triangular screw construct in the repair of both incomplete and complete minimally displaced fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses under standing sedation.
- The researchers used a retrospective cohort study to gather the data. They relied on medical records and radiographs, also using the date of return to racing, collected from www.racingpost.com, as a measure of recovery time.
- The data gathered from horses operated with both types of screw configurations were then compared using a log-rank test.
Results
- The study included 62 horses in total, out of which one horse had two separate fractures. The majority of the fractures, 54 out of 63, were repaired using the triangular screw configuration while the remaining 10 were repaired with a linear screw configuration.
- The rate of return to racing was found to be higher in the group repaired with the triangular configuration, 81% (43 out of 53), compared to 70% (7 out of 10) in the group repaired with the linear configuration.
- The recovery period was also shorter for the group treated with the triangular screw configuration. The median number of days before their return to racing was 289 days, while it was 351 days for those treated with linear screws.
Conclusions
- The results showed that the triangular screw configuration was more effective in repairing both incomplete and complete minimally displaced proximal phalanx fractures.
- The researchers suggest that the placement of triangular screws in the standing sedated horse is an effective method for these types of fractures, with a high rate of return to racing and a low rate of complications. Note that they also point out the limited number of horses undergoing the conventional (linear) screw placement in this study.
Cite This Article
APA
Findley JA, O'Neill HD, Bladon BM.
(2020).
Outcome following repair of 63 sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in UK Thoroughbreds using either a triangular or linear screw configuration.
Equine Vet J, 53(3), 524-529.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13304 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
- Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
- Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Screws / veterinary
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Retrospective Studies
- United Kingdom
References
This article includes 11 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- 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.
- 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).
- Brabon A, Hughes KJ, Labens R. Comparison of interfragmentary compression across simulated condylar fractures repaired using four techniques. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1233921.
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