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Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(7); 1412-1417; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13447

Postinjury performance for differing humeral stress fracture locations in the racing thoroughbred.

Abstract: To assess the influence of humeral stress fracture location on the time to return to racing and postinjury performance of thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective study (1992-2015). Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 131) that presented for lameness with the sole diagnosis of humeral stress fractures in the lame limb, as determined by scintigraphy or radiology. Methods: Sex, fracture site, age, starts, earnings, and average earnings per race were examined for differences in pre-stress and post-stress fracture diagnosis for the entire population as well as individual stress fracture locations (general linear model, χ tests). Pre-stress and post-stress fracture performance for the three stress fracture locations were assessed: (1) earnings pre-stress and post-stress fracture (Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance), (2) average earnings per start prefracture, and (3) average earnings per start postfracture (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests). Results: Stress fracture locations were caudodistal (n = 36), craniodistal (n = 43), and caudoproximal (n = 52). One hundred ten of 131 horses raced postfracture, and 54 of 131 horses raced prefracture. Age at injury was 43.61 months caudodistal, 33.48 months caudoproximal, and 36.65 months craniodistal. Horses returned to race at a median of 244 days (range, 218-272). Postfracture earnings per start were greater for caudodistal vs caudoproximal (P = .04). Conclusions: There were no differences in prefracture earnings or fracture site and sex or limb affected. Return-to-race time varied by location but not significantly. Differences in earnings preinjury and postinjury were not significant. Horses with a stress fracture at the caudodistal location earned significantly more compared with horses with a stress fracture at the caudoproximal location after they returned to race. Conclusions: Thoroughbred racehorses have a good prognosis for return to racing regardless of fracture location.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-07-17 PubMed ID: 32678472DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13447Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research aims to examine the impact of stress fracture location in the humerus on the time taken for thoroughbred racehorses to return to racing and their performance post-injury. Findings suggest that income earned per race post-injury significantly increased for horses with stress fractures at the caudodistal location compared to caudoproximal location. Generally, thoroughbred racehorses demonstrated a good probability of returning to races, regardless of the location of the fracture.

Research Methodology

  • Conducted a retrospective study over the period 1992-2015, studying 131 thoroughbred racehorses that showed lameness resulting from humeral stress fractures as determined via scintigraphy or radiology.
  • A range of variables including sex, fracture site, age, number of races, earnings, and average earnings per race were reviewed for fluctuations pre-stress and post-stress fracture diagnosis for all horses and for individual stress fracture locations.
  • The study used the general linear model and χ tests to examine pre-stress and post-stress fracture performance at the three detected stress fracture locations. It applied the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance to calculate earnings pre-stress and post-stress fracture. Additionally, the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests helped to ascertain the average earnings per race pre and post-injury.

Research Outcomes

  • Identified stress fractures located at caudodistal (n = 36), craniodistal (n = 43), and caudoproximal (n = 52) parts of the humerus.
  • Most horses were able to participate in races post-injury – 110 out of 131. Meanwhile, only 54 out of 131 horses were able to compete in races before the fracture.
  • The age of these horses at the time of injury averaged 43.61 months for caudodistal, 33.48 months for caudoproximal, and 36.65 months for craniodistal fractures.
  • Horses could return to races approximately 244 days post-fracture, with the exact return time ranging between 218 and 272 days.
  • Interestingly, horses with fractures at the caudodistal position were able to earn significantly more per race compared to those with stress fractures at the caudoproximal location post-fracture (P = .04).

Conclusions

  • No significant difference was found in earnings before the fractures or between fracture sites and sex or affected limb.
  • The return-to-race period varied according to the fracture location, however, the variation was not significant.
  • There was no significant difference in earnings before and after the injury.
  • Thoroughbred racehorses generally have a good prognosis for returning to racing, regardless of the fracture location.

Cite This Article

APA
Henderson B, Bramlage LR, Koenig J, Monteith G. (2020). Postinjury performance for differing humeral stress fracture locations in the racing thoroughbred. Vet Surg, 49(7), 1412-1417. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13447

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 7
Pages: 1412-1417

Researcher Affiliations

Henderson, Brianne
    Bramlage, L R
    • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.
    Koenig, Judith
    • Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
    Monteith, Gabrielle
    • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Female
    • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
    • Horses / injuries
    • Horses / physiology
    • Humeral Fractures / veterinary
    • Humerus / injuries
    • Male
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal
    • Radiography / veterinary
    • Radionuclide Imaging / veterinary
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Sports

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    This article includes 15 references
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