Prognostic Indicators after Musculoskeletal Injuries in Standardbred Racehorses in Italy.

The research team conducted a thorough study examining factors related to recoveries after musculoskeletal injuries in Standardbred racehorses in Italy, analyzing issues such as recovery time, retirement rates, racing performance, and compensation patterns.

Research Methodology

• The researchers embarked on a retrospective single open-cohort study which enrolled 356 Standardbred racehorses in training in a single racetrack in Italy.
• Musculoskeletal injury was defined as any training-related injury after which the horse did not train for at least 15 days. In the study, both first and second injuries the horse incurred during its racing career were considered.
• Relevant information was gathered from a variety of sources including medical records, training logbooks, and racing data to determine the recovery time, retirement rate, racing performance, and compensation patterns following the injuries.

Statistical Analyses

• Kaplan-Meier estimators were used to consider the return to activity as a primary endpoint and Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the hazard ratio (HR) for return to activity, with horses being classified based on injury type.

Key Findings

• Of the 356 Standardbred racehorses in the study, 543 musculoskeletal injuries were considered, and about 34% of the horses needed to retire as a consequence of these injuries.
• The median recovery time after injury was 119 days.
• The likelihood of horses returning to athletic activities varied with the type of injuries. Those with traumatic osteoarthritis have a higher likelihood to return to racing activities compared to those with stress fractures and tendon or ligament strains.
• Increased racing speed was observed after recovery from injuries.
• The study also explored the location of the second musculoskeletal injury, revealing a greater likelihood that it occurred on the contralateral limb (opposite side) compared to the first injury.