Return to racing after surgical management of third carpal bone slab fractures in thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses.
Abstract: To determine the prognosis for racing of horses surgically treated for slab fractures of the third carpal bone (C3). Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses (n = 125) surgically treated for C3 slab fractures. Methods: Medical records of horses surgically treated for dorsal or sagittal C3 fractures were reviewed for age, sex, breed, limb, fracture type, degree of cartilage damage, and surgical treatment. Radiographs were evaluated to determine fracture depth, width, and displacement. Osteophytes, C3 lysis, and fragmentation were scored. Racing performance was obtained from online databases. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to determine associations between independent variables and outcomes. Results: Fifty-four (43%) horses raced postoperatively. Among thoroughbreds, 35% (30/86) with dorsal fractures and 63% (17/27) with sagittal fractures raced postoperatively. Among standardbreds, 77% (10/13) with dorsal fractures and 0% (0/2) with sagittal fractures raced postoperatively. Fracture displacement, C3 lysis, and cartilage damage affected the likelihood of racing postoperatively. Placement of 3.5-mm screws vs 4.5-mm screws and the placement of fewer screws were associated with improved likelihood of racing. Conclusions: The prognosis for postoperative racing of thoroughbreds with dorsal C3 fractures was less favorable than that previously reported. Concurrent joint pathology, such as cartilage damage at time of surgery, affected the ability of the horse to race postoperatively. Conclusions: Although internal fixation of C3 slab fractures is required to restore joint congruity, return to racing should be expected in only 42% of thoroughbreds and 67% of standardbreds.
© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2019-03-18 PubMed ID: 30883815DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13193Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the likelihood of horses returning to racing after undergoing surgery for slab fractures of the third carpal bone (C3). The study finds that the prognosis varies depending on the breed, type of fracture, presence of other joint damage, and specific details of the surgical treatment.
Research Methodology
- The study analyzed medical records of 125 horses that underwent surgery for C3 slab fractures. The horses’ age, sex, breed, affected limb, fracture type, degree of cartilage damage, and surgical treatment were considered.
- Fracture details like depth, width, and displacement were determined using radiographs. Associated features like osteophytes, C3 lysis, and fragmentation were scored.
- Post-operative racing performance was sourced from online databases.
- Both univariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine links between the variables and outcomes.
Key Findings
- Only 43% of the horses returned to racing post-surgery. There were significant variations according to breed and fracture type. Only 35% of thoroughbreds with dorsal fractures and 63% with sagittal fractures could race postoperatively, while 77% of standardbreds with dorsal fractures returned to racing. However, no standardbred with sagittal fractures returned to racing.
- The study noted that factors like fracture displacement, C3 lysis, and cartilage damage affected the chances of a horse returning to racing post-surgery.
- The study also showed that the size and number of screws used in the surgery had an impact. Horses operated with 3.5-mm screws and fewer screws had higher chances of racing post-surgery.
Conclusions
- The prognosis for thoroughbreds with dorsal C3 fractures returning to racing was found to be less optimistic than previously reported.
- The presence of other joint pathology, like cartilage damage at the time of surgery, negatively affected the horse’s ability to race postoperatively.
- The researchers concluded that even though internal fixation of C3 slab fractures is crucial to restore joint congruity, only 42% of thoroughbreds and 67% of standardbreds should be expected to return to racing.
Cite This Article
APA
Doering AK, Reesink HL, Luedke LK, Moore C, Nixon AJ, Fortier LA, Ducharme NG, Ross MW, Levine DG, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D, Ortved KF.
(2019).
Return to racing after surgical management of third carpal bone slab fractures in thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses.
Vet Surg, 48(4), 513-523.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13193 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carpal Bones / injuries
- Carpal Bones / surgery
- Carpus, Animal / injuries
- Carpus, Animal / surgery
- Female
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
- Fractures, Bone / surgery
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Steel C, Ahern B, Zedler S, Vallance S, Galuppo L, Richardson J, Whitton C, Young A. Comparison of Radiography and Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Third Carpal Bone Fractures in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 25;13(9).
- Miyakoshi D, Watanabe A, Ikeda H, Mizuguchi Y. Arthroscopic guided repair of a slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone in an 8-month-old thoroughbred horse. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):143-146.
- Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 5;11(4).
- Luque RM, Henderson B, McCorkell TC, Alizadeh AH, Russell KA, Koch TG, Koenig J. Treatment outcomes for equine osteoarthritis with mesenchymal stromal cells and hyaluronic acid. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1245-1254.
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