Racing performance after arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred horses age < 2 years: 151 cases (1989--2002).

This research explores the outcomes of race performance in young Thoroughbred horses following the arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments. The study reveals the majority of these fractures occur in the hindlimbs and that horses with these types of fractures show a higher likelihood of successful racing post-surgery compared to those with forelimb fractures.

Research Objective and Methods

• The aim of this study was to document the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in young (less than 2 years old) Thoroughbred horses and to determine their chances and quality of racing performance post the arthroscopic removal of these fractures. A total of 151 Thoroughbred foals and yearlings that underwent this operation were the subject of the investigation.
• The researchers conducted a review of the medical records for these horses, which entailed arthroscopic surgery for the removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments. Further information was subsequently gathered from the horses’ racing records.
• A statistical method, namely Student’s t-tests, was employed to compare the performance features of the operated racing horses against the performance of their maternal siblings.

Results

• The results show that out of the 151 fractures, a majority of 92% (or 139 cases) occurred in the hindlimbs with the remaining 8% (or 11 cases) appearing in the forelimbs. Also, there was a case of fracture in both the forelimb and hindlimb.
• The data suggested that horses with the forelimb fractures had a significantly lowered chance of racing (only 55%) compared to their counterparts with hindlimb fractures (86%).
• In total, 84% of the treated horses participated in racing post-surgery with their performance standing similar to their maternal siblings; where 78% (or 787 out of 1006) raced.

Conclusions

• This study concludes that for Thoroughbred foals and yearlings, the arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments poses a considerable prognosis for racing, especially for cases involving hindlimb fractures. However, horses suffering forelimb fractures have a reduced prognosis, with medial fractures in the forelimb rendering the worst prognosis.
• The conclusions thus enhance the understanding of apical sesamoid bone fractures and the potential for arthroscopic restoration of the racing ability, alongside enabling the establishment of the yearling’s future sale value.