Preexisting lesions associated with complete diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal bone in 12 Thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: We characterized features of complete diaphyseal fractures of third metacarpal bones in Thoroughbred racehorses. Given that stress fractures are known to occur in the third metacarpal bone, an additional aim was to determine if complete fractures are associated with signs of a preexisting incomplete stress fracture. Bilateral metacarpi from 12 Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized because of complete unilateral metacarpal diaphyseal fracture were examined visually and radiographically. Open, comminuted, transverse or short oblique fractures occurred in the middle of the diaphysis or supracondylar region. Periosteal surface discoloration and bone callus formation contiguous with the fracture line were present in fractured bones. All contralateral intact metacarpi had gross anatomic lesions, and 10 had radiographic abnormalities similar to those observed on fractured metacarpi. Catastrophic metacarpal fractures occurred in racehorses with bilateral evidence of preexisting bone injury.
Publication Date: 2017-04-19 PubMed ID: 28423998DOI: 10.1177/1040638717704866Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the characteristics of complete diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal bone in racehorses to identify if these fractures are linked with indications of a preexisting incomplete stress fracture. The study focused on metacarpi from 12 Thoroughbred racehorses that had to be euthanized due to such fractures.
Research Methods and Observations
- The researchers evaluated the metacarpi of the racehorses, both visually and using radiography. The horses had been euthanized because of complete unilateral metacarpal diaphyseal fracture.
- The examination revealed open, comminuted, transverse, or short oblique fractures occurring in the middle of the bone or the supracondylar region. In the fractured bones, they found discolored areas on the periosteal surface and bone callus formation contiguous with the fracture line.
Analysis of Contralateral Intact Metacarpi
- Interesting findings emerged when the intact metacarpi of these horses were examined. These contralateral (on the opposite side) metacarpi also had gross anatomical lesions.
- Furthermore, radiographic abnormalities similar to those observed on the fractured metacarpi were found on 10 of these intact metacarpi.
Conclusions
- These striking findings lead to the conclusion that catastrophic metacarpal fractures occurred in racehorses having evidence of preexisting bone injury on both sides.
- Accordingly, even in the absence of complete fracture, these preexisting conditions on the contralateral side are potentially detrimental, increasing the vulnerability of the horses to these severe injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Gray SN, Spriet M, Garcia TC, Uzal FA, Stover SM.
(2017).
Preexisting lesions associated with complete diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal bone in 12 Thoroughbred racehorses.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 29(4), 437-441.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638717704866 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Radiological and Surgical Sciences (Spriet), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology (Garcia, Stover), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Uzal), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Miners Rest, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Radiological and Surgical Sciences (Spriet), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology (Garcia, Stover), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Uzal), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Miners Rest, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Radiological and Surgical Sciences (Spriet), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology (Garcia, Stover), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Uzal), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Miners Rest, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Radiological and Surgical Sciences (Spriet), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology (Garcia, Stover), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Uzal), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Miners Rest, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Radiological and Surgical Sciences (Spriet), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology (Garcia, Stover), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (Uzal), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
- Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Miners Rest, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Gray), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Metacarpal Bones / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Palmieri C, Young AC. Imaging and Gross Pathological Appearance of Changes in the Parasagittal Grooves of Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 24;11(12).
- Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. Relationship Between Historical Lameness, Medication Usage, Surgery, and Exercise With Catastrophic Musculoskeletal Injury in Racehorses. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:217.
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