Rib fractures in adult horses as a cause of poor performance; diagnosis, treatment and outcome in 73 horses.
Abstract: Rib fractures in adult horses are poorly documented. Objective: To describe the presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of horses diagnosed with rib fracture. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: The clinical records and diagnostic images of all adult horses diagnosed with a rib fracture at three referral centres over a 15-year period were reviewed. Results: Seventy-three horses met the inclusion criteria. Horses presented due to either resistance to ridden work and poor performance (n = 41), lameness (n = 21) or trauma (n = 7). In four horses, the presenting complaint was not recorded. Clinical assessment and palpation localised the site of injury in 18/47 cases where recorded. Nuclear scintigraphic examination identified all fracture sites in which it was performed (59/59). In 10/24 horses, radiographic examination confirmed rib fracture. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed rib fracture in 58/59 horses (98%; 95% CI 92-100). Six horses underwent surgery due to ongoing clinical signs and non-healing fracture; all other horses were managed conservatively. Fifty-five horses were available for long-term follow up (>1 year), of which 28 (51%; 95% CI 38-64) returned to their previous level of exercise. Twelve horses did not return to their previous level of exercise due to lameness unrelated to the rib fracture and seven horses were subjected to euthanasia, of which three were as a result of the rib fracture. Eight horses did not return to their previous level of exercise for other reasons. Conclusions: Incomplete data set due to retrospective case series. Conclusions: Although uncommon, rib fractures should be considered in cases of reduced performance or resistance during ridden exercise. Palpation may be unrewarding. Scintigraphy and ultrasonography are useful in identifying the fracture site. Rib fractures in horses carry a fair prognosis and can be managed conservatively in most cases. Unassigned: Rippenfrakturen in adulten Pferden sind unzureichend dokumentiert. Unassigned: Beschreibung der Symptome, Diagnose, Behandlung und Ausgang von Pferden mit diagnostizierter Rippenfraktur. Sondierungsstudie. Methods: Retrospektive Fallserie. Methods: Diese multizentrische Studie betrachtete klinische Aufzeichnungen und diagnostische Bildgebung von allen adulten Pferden mit diagnostizierter Rippenfraktur über einen Fünfzehnjahreszeitraum. Unassigned: Dreiundsiebzig Pferde erfüllten die Einschlusskriterien. Pferde wurden vorstellig entweder wegen Unrittigkeit und Leistungsschwäche (n = 41), Lahmheit (n = 21) oder Trauma (n = 7). In 4 Pferden wurde der Vorstellungsgrund nicht erfasst. Klinische Beurteilung und Palpation lokalisierte die Verletzungsstelle in 18/47 Fällen. Szintigraphie identifizierte alle (59/59) Frakturstellen. Bei 10/24 Pferden bestätigte eine röntgenologische Untersuchung die Rippenfraktur. Ultrasonographie bestätigte Rippenfrakturen bei 58/59 Pferden (98%; 95% CI 92-100). Sechs Pferde wurden operativ versorgt aufgrund anhaltender Symptomatik und nichtheilender Fraktur; alle anderen Pferde wurden konservativ behandelt. Fünfundfünfzig Pferde waren für eine langfristige (>1 Jahr) Nachverfolgung verfügbar, von welchen 28 (51%; 95% CI 38-64) zum vorherigen Belastungslevel zurückkehrten. Zwölf Pferde kehrten nicht zum vorherigen Belastungslevel zurück aufgrund Lahmheit die nicht im Zusammenhang mit der Rippenfraktur stand. Insgesamt 7 Pferde wurden euthanasiert, 3 davon aufgrund der Rippenfraktur. Acht Pferde kehrten aus anderen Gründen nicht zum vorherigen Belastungslevel zurück. HAUPTEINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Inkompletter Datensatz aufgrund der retrospektiven Fallserie. Unassigned: Wenn auch selten, sollten Rippenfrakturen in Betracht gezogen werden bei Fällen von verminderter Leistung oder Unrittigkeit. Palpation war oftmals unergiebig. Szintigraphie und Ultrasonographie waren am zielführendsten in der Identifikation von Frakturstellen. Rippenfrakturen von Pferden haben eine mittelmäßige Prognose und können in den meisten Fällen konservativ behandelt werden.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-01 PubMed ID: 35170087DOI: 10.1111/evj.13566Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates instances of rib fractures in adult horses for a period of 15 years across three referral centres, presenting causes, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcomes. The study finds that rib fractures can be a cause for poor performance in horses and recommends the use of scintigraphy and ultrasonography for diagnosis while suggesting conservative management for treatment.
Overview of the Study
- The research revolves around the study of 73 adult horses diagnosed with rib fractures at three referral centres over 15 years.
- The study categorizes the reasons for horses’ presentation to the centres into resistance to ridden work and poor performance, lameness, and trauma, with some instances of unrecorded complaints.
- The techniques used for diagnosis include clinical assessment, palpation, nuclear scintigraphic examination, radiographic examination, and ultrasonographic examination.
- The horses either underwent surgery or were managed conservatively depending on the severity of the symptoms and healing process.
- Long-term follow up data of over a year for 55 horses were recorded.
Key Findings
- Scintigraphy and ultrasonography were successful in identifying fracture sites.
- Out of the horses available for long-term follow up, 51% were able to return to their previous level of exercise. However, a number of horses either did not return due to unrelated lameness or were subjected to euthanasia. A group failed to regain their earlier level of activity due to other unspecified reasons.
- Rib fractures were identified as a significant concern in the performance of adult horses and should be adequately considered in cases of poor performance or resistance during ridden exercise.
Conclusion
- The study is primarily limited due to its retrospective nature and an incomplete data set.
- The authors recommend nuclear scintigraphic and ultrasonographic examinations for the identification of rib fractures in horses as palpation may not always yield rewarding results.
- The prognosis of rib fractures in horses is fair and, in most instances, can be managed conservatively.
Cite This Article
APA
Hall S, Smith R, Ramzan PHL, Head M, Robinson N, Parker R.
(2022).
Rib fractures in adult horses as a cause of poor performance; diagnosis, treatment and outcome in 73 horses.
Equine Vet J, 55(1), 59-65.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13566 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK.
- Rossdales Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Newmarket, UK.
- Tower Equine Clinic, Bourne, UK.
- VetPartners Limited, York, UK.
- Liphook Equine Hospital, Liphook, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Lameness, Animal / therapy
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Rib Fractures / diagnostic imaging
- Rib Fractures / etiology
- Rib Fractures / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
References
This article includes 11 references
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