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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Racing performance after surgical repair of medial condylar ...
Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(4); 648-658; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13403

Racing performance after surgical repair of medial condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: To report the performance of thoroughbred racehorses after surgical repair of a medial condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-three horses surgically treated for medial condylar fractures, 30 with previous racing experience, 13 without previous racing experience (nonexperienced). Methods: Medical records (2009-2017) were reviewed for signalment, radiographic fracture characteristics, repair technique, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Each experienced horse was matched with two horses randomly selected from its most recent race to serve as healthy controls. Racing performance parameters (race rating, competitive level, speed rating, performance index) and career racing statistics were compared with multiple regression models between injured experienced horses and controls. The career racing statistics for nonexperienced horses were evaluated. Reasons for nonreturn to racing were obtained. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 6 years (minimum 2, maximum 10). Twenty-one of 43 (49%) horses raced again as well as 18 of 30 (60%) experienced horses and three of 13 (23%) nonexperienced horses. Experienced horses were five times more likely than nonexperienced horses to return to racing (95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.58, P = .003). Higher preoperative racing performance parameters were associated with return to racing. Racing performance parameters were lower after the date of fracture in injured horses compared with controls. Conclusions: Experienced horses were more likely to return to racing after medial condylar fracture repair, although their performance was generally lower than that of comparably uninjured horses. Conclusions: Owners should be aware that horses with medial condylar fractures likely will race at a lower level than their uninjured peers.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-04 PubMed ID: 32133662DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13403Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study focused on analyzing the performance of thoroughbred racehorses after they underwent surgical repair due to a medial condylar fracture in their third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. It was found that experienced horses were more likely to return to racing after the surgery, though their performance generally decreased as compared to their uninjured counterparts.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers of this study used a retrospective cohort approach and looked at the medical records of 43 horses that underwent surgery for medial condylar fractures.
  • Among these 43 horses, 30 had previous racing experience, while the remaining 13 were green horses without previous racing experience.
  • Data reviewed spanned from 2009 to 2017 and included details on the horse’s signalment, radiographic fracture characteristics, repair technique, and postoperative morbidity and mortality.
  • The data of the experienced horses were compared with data from two healthy horses randomly selected from each horse’s most recent race. This acted as a control group.
  • The researchers then compared various racing performance parameters such as race rating, competitive level, speed rating, and performance index, along with career racing statistics. Multiple regression models were used to facilitate this comparison.
  • The team also sought out the reasons for non-return to racing among the horses studied.

Research Findings

  • The median follow-up duration of this study was six years, ranging from a minimum of two years to a maximum of ten years.
  • Among the 43 horses, 21 (49%) raced again following surgery. Specifically, 18 out of 30 experienced horses (60%), and three out of 13 nonexperienced horses (23%) returned to racing.
  • The data revealed that experienced horses were five times more likely to return to racing compared to nonexperienced horses.
  • The researchers found that horses with higher preoperative racing performance parameters were more likely to return to racing.
  • However, racing performance parameters were lower after the date of fracture in injured horses compared with controls.

Conclusions

  • Based on the research results, it was concluded that experienced horses are more likely to return to racing after a medial condylar fracture repair.
  • Despite the likelihood of return, their racing performance after recovering from the surgery was generally lower than their uninjured counterparts.
  • As such, owners need to be aware that horses with medial condylar fractures are likely to race at a lower level than their uninjured peers.

Cite This Article

APA
Boorman S, Richardson DW, Hogan PM, Stefanovski D, Levine DG. (2020). Racing performance after surgical repair of medial condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in thoroughbred racehorses. Vet Surg, 49(4), 648-658. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13403

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 4
Pages: 648-658

Researcher Affiliations

Boorman, Sophie
  • Department of Clinical Science, JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Richardson, Dean W
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Hogan, Patricia M
  • Hogan Equine at FairWinds Farm, Cream Ridge, New Jersey.
Stefanovski, Darko
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Levine, David G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horses / physiology
  • Horses / surgery
  • Male
  • Metacarpal Bones / injuries
  • Metacarpal Bones / surgery
  • Metatarsal Bones / injuries
  • Metatarsal Bones / surgery
  • Physical Exertion
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports

References

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