Outcome of Pelvic Fractures Identified in 75 Horses in a Referral Centre: A Retrospective Study.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of fracture location and horse sporting discipline as prognostic indicators after a pelvic fracture in a referral centre caseload. Methods: Data were collected for the short- and long-term follow-up of all cases with a diagnosis of pelvic fracture in a 7-year period. Information was obtained for 75 horses through a postal and internet survey. The proportion of horses returning to competition following fractures was compared between groups according to the competition discipline and the characteristics of the fracture. Results: Forty-six of 75 horses returned to or began their intended activity. This proportion was significantly lower in the group of horses that sustained a comminuted fracture irrespective of the fracture location (11/25, = 0.05). The proportion of Standardbred trotter racehorses returning to a sporting career after pelvic fracture (9/20) was not significantly different from horses competing in other disciplines (37/55). Cases of multiple pelvic fractures in the study population, and particularly those involving the acetabulum, had the worst sports prognosis (2/8 and 0/4). Nevertheless, two foals and one yearling (3/5) with isolated fracture of the acetabulum went on to race. Conclusions: A clear characterization of the fracture is essential for prognosis, as comminuted fractures seem to entail a poorer athletic prognosis. Despite a lack of significance, prognosis seems poorer for Standardbred trotter racehorses and for cases with acetabulum involvement in multiple fractures. These results should be confirmed in larger samples.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Publication Date: 2019-07-18 PubMed ID: 31319430DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688774Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores the impact of fracture location and the horse sporting discipline on recovery outcomes such as the ability to return to sport after a pelvic fracture. The study shows that fracture character and location significantly affect the prognosis of athletic performance.
Methods
- The study analyzed data from a 7-year span that focused on horses with pelvic fractures.
- Information was collected from 75 horses through a postal and internet survey.
- Comparisons for recovery rates were made based on competing discipline and fracture attributes.
Results
- Out of 75 horses, 46 managed to return to or begin their intended activity.
- The recovery rate was significantly lower for horses having a comminuted fracture, i.e., a fracture where the bone breaks into multiple pieces, regardless of the fracture location.
- Standardbred trotter racehorses’ recovery rate did not appear to differ significantly from that of horses competing in different disciplines.
- The least favorable sports prognosis was seen in cases of multiple pelvic fractures, particularly those involving the acetabulum (the socket of the hip bone where it joins the femur).
- However, 3 out of 5 young horses (two foals and one yearling) with isolated fracture of the acetabulum managed to return to racing.
Conclusions
- Precise fracture characterization is critical to formulate the prognosis as comminuted fractures tend to have a worse athletic prognosis.
- Despite no statistical significance, the prognosis appears poorer for Standardbred trotter racehorses and cases involving the acetabulum in multiple fractures.
- The researchers suggest that these results need validation with larger sample sizes for more accurate confirmatory results.
Cite This Article
APA
Moiroud CH, Coudry V, Denoix JM.
(2019).
Outcome of Pelvic Fractures Identified in 75 Horses in a Referral Centre: A Retrospective Study.
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 32(4), 274-281.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1688774 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- CIRALE, Unité 957, BPLC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14430 Goustranville, France.
- CIRALE, Unité 957, BPLC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14430 Goustranville, France.
- CIRALE, Unité 957, BPLC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 14430 Goustranville, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
- Fractures, Bone / rehabilitation
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Pelvic Bones
- Prognosis
- Referral and Consultation
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
Conflict of Interest Statement
None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Fan H, Fei R, Guo C, Li Y, Yan C, Chen F, Zhang Y. Effects of emergency treatment mode of damage-control orthopedics in pelvic fracture complicated with multiple fractures. Am J Transl Res 2021;13(6):6817-6826.
- Aleman M, Berryhill E, Woolard K, Easton-Jones CA, Kozikowski-Nicholas T, Dyson S, Kilcoyne I. Sidewinder gait in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Sep;34(5):2122-2131.
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