Racing performance after arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred horses age > or = 2 years: 84 cases (1989-2002).
Abstract: Studies have shown that surgical removal of apical fracture fragments in Standardbred racehorses carries the best prognosis for return to racing performance, but there are no reports involving mature Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses. Objective: To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in TB racehorses and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in TB racehorses age > or = 2 years. Methods: Medical records and pre- and post operative race records of TB racehorses age > or = 2 years that underwent arthroscopic surgery for removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments were reviewed. Results: Sixty-four percent of fractures occurred in the hindlimbs and 36% in the forelimbs. Horses with forelimb fractures had a reduced probability of return to racing (67%) compared to those with hindlimb fractures (83%), but the majority (77%) of treated horses recovered to return to race post operatively. Horses with medial forelimb fractures raced at only a 47% rate; those with suspensory desmitis at 63%. Unlike Standardbreds, there was no difference in probability of racing post operatively between horses that had, and had not, raced preoperatively. Conclusions: Data show that arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments is successful at restoring ability to race in skeletally mature TB horses without evidence of severe suspensory ligament damage. Prognosis for return to racing is excellent (83%) in horses with hindlimb fractures and good (67%) in those with forelimb fractures. Medial fractures of the forelimb have the worst prognosis. Conclusions: The determination of prognosis for differing sites in TB racehorses should increase knowledge of apical proximal sesamoid bone fractures and improve communication from veterinarian to owner, and trainer, on the potential for arthroscopic restoration of the ability to race.
Publication Date: 2006-09-22 PubMed ID: 16986606DOI: 10.2746/042516406778400655Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the benefits of arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in mature Thoroughbred racehorses and compares the rates of return to racing performance in those with forelimb and hindlimb fractures. The study found that this procedure is successful in restoring the ability to race, particularly in those with hindlimb fractures.
Introduction and Objectives
- The researchers sought to understand the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses and assess the probability of these horses returning to race, post an arthroscopic surgery which involves removal of such fracture fragments.
Methods
- The study involved reviewing the medical records, along with pre- and post-operative race records, of Thoroughbred racehorses aged 2 years and above that had undergone arthroscopic surgery to remove these fractures.
Results
- The majority of the fractures were found to occur in the hindlimbs (64%) and the remaining in the forelimbs (36%).
- The return to racing probability varied based on the location of the fracture. Horses with forelimb fractures showed a lower return rate (67%) compared to those with hindlimb fractures (83%).
- Overall, about 77% of the treated horses managed to return to racing post-surgery.
- Horses with medial forelimb fractures had the lowest racing rate post-surgery (47%), and those with suspensory desmitis had a 63% racing rate.
Conclusion
- The findings of the study indicate that the arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments is effective in restoring the racing ability in mature Thoroughbred horses, especially those without severe suspensory ligament damage.
- The prognosis for returning to racing is excellent in horses with hindlimb fractures (83%) and good in those with forelimb fractures (67%). However, medial fractures of the forelimb show the worst prognosis.
- The conclusions drawn from this study should help in enhancing the knowledge of apical proximal sesamoid bone fractures and improving communication between the vet, the horse owner, and the trainer regarding the potential of the horse returning to racing after arthroscopic restoration.
Cite This Article
APA
Schnabel LV, Bramlage LR, Mohammed HO, Embertson RM, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA.
(2006).
Racing performance after arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred horses age > or = 2 years: 84 cases (1989-2002).
Equine Vet J, 38(5), 446-451.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400655 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky 40580, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / methods
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb / injuries
- Forelimb / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Hindlimb / injuries
- Hindlimb / surgery
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Sesamoid Bones / injuries
- Sesamoid Bones / surgery
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Peat FJ, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Keenan DP, Berk JT, Mork DS. Radiological findings in the proximal sesamoid bones of yearling and 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales horses: Prevalence, progression and associations with racing performance. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):87-100.
- Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories of 2-year-old Thoroughbred in-training sales in Japan. J Equine Sci 2016;27(2):67-76.
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