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Parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK: Outcome of repaired fractures in 113 cases (2007-2011).
Abstract: Thirty years have elapsed since the last published review of outcome following fracture of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK and contemporary results are needed to be able to advise of expected outcome. Objective: Collect and analyse outcome data following repair of fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Case records of all Thoroughbred racehorses admitted to Newmarket Equine Hospital for evaluation of a parasagittal fracture of the proximal phalanx during a 5 years period were reviewed. Follow-up data regarding racing careers was collected for horses that underwent repair. Following exclusion of outliers, cases with incomplete data sets and comminuted fractures, mixed effect logistic regression was used to identify variables affecting returning to racing and odds ratios and confidence intervals calculated. Results: Of 113 repaired cases, fracture configurations included short incomplete parasagittal (n = 12), long incomplete parasagittal (n = 86), complete parasagittal (n = 12) and comminuted (n = 3). A total of 54 (48%) cases raced after surgery. Horses that fractured at 2 years of age had increased odds of racing following surgery than those older than 2 years of age (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.13-1.59, P = 0.002). Horses sustaining short incomplete parasagittal fractures had increased odds of racing following surgery compared with those with complete parasagittal fractures (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.36-5.07, P = 0.006). No horses with comminuted fractures returned to racing. Conclusions: Data are relevant only to Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK. Conclusions: Approximately half of the cases in this series raced following surgical repair. More 2-year-old horses raced following surgery, but this likely reflects horses, specifically older horses, passing out of training from unrelated factors. Fracture configuration affects odds of racing, which is relevant to owners when deciding on treatment.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-07-06 PubMed ID: 28556936DOI: 10.1111/evj.12707Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research analyzes the outcomes of fracture repairs of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK. It notes that almost half of the horses that had surgery returned to racing, with two-year-old horses and horses with certain types of fractures having a higher likelihood of returning to the sport.
Research Objective and Method
- The objective of this research was to gather and analyze data on the outcomes following the surgical repair of fractures in the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK.
- The research implemented a retrospective case series methodology. It analyzed case records of all Thoroughbred racehorses that were admitted to the Newmarket Equine Hospital for treatment of a parasagittal fracture of the proximal phalanx during a five-year span.
Results
- A total of 113 cases were repaired with different fracture configurations, including short incomplete parasagittal, long incomplete parasagittal, complete parasagittal, and comminuted.
- Of these cases, 54 horses, accounting for 48% of the total, took part in racing after their surgeries.
- The study found that horses around the age of 2 had increased chances of returning to racing following surgery as compared to horses older than 2 years of age.
- Horses with short incomplete parasagittal fractures were more likely to return to racing following surgery than those with complete parasagittal fractures.
- It was noted that none of the horses with comminuted fractures returned to racing post-surgery.
Conclusions
- This research presents data that is applicable only for Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK.
- The study concludes that approximately half of the total cases in this series returned to racing following surgical repair.
- Younger horses (especially 2-year-olds) and horses with specific type of fractures (short incomplete parasagittal fractures) demonstrated an increased likelihood of returning to racing post-surgery.
- The findings regarding the impact of the horse’s age and type of fracture on the probability of return to racing are crucial for owners in deciding the treatment of their horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith MRW, Corletto FC, Wright IM.
(2017).
Parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK: Outcome of repaired fractures in 113 cases (2007-2011).
Equine Vet J, 49(6), 784-788.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12707 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Newmarket Equine Hospital Referrals, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Newmarket Equine Hospital Referrals, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Newmarket Equine Hospital Referrals, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / pathology
- Forelimb / surgery
- Fracture Healing
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
- United Kingdom
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Grzeskowiak RM, Alghazali KM, Hecht S, Donnell RL, Doherty TJ, Smith CK, Anderson DE, Biris AS, Adair HS. Influence of a novel scaffold composed of polyurethane, hydroxyapatite, and decellularized bone particles on the healing of fourth metacarpal defects in mares. Vet Surg 2021 Jul;50(5):1117-1127.
- De Zani D, Rabbogliatti V, Rabba S, Auletta L, Longo M, Zani DD. Subchondral and Osteochondral Unit Bone Damage in the Fetlock Region of Sport Horses Using Low-Field MRI: Case Series. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 2;15(23).
- 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.
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