Stress fractures of the tibia and humerus in Thoroughbred racehorses: 99 cases (1992-2000).
Abstract: To determine clinical characteristics of and outcome in Thoroughbred racehorses with tibial or humeral stress fractures. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 99 Thoroughbreds with tibial or humeral stress fractures. Methods: Information obtained from the medical records included history, signalment, and clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic findings. Outcome was determined by interviewing trainers, performing follow-up examinations, and analyzing race records. Results: Seventy-four tibial stress fractures were identified in 61 Thoroughbreds, and 48 humeral stress fractures were identified in 39 Thoroughbreds (1 horse was included in both groups). Tibial stress fractures occurred most commonly in 2-year-old or unraced horses. Fractures were located in 1 of 3 sites in the tibia (most commonly, the caudolateral cortex of the mid-diaphysis) and 1 of 4 sites in the humerus (most commonly, the caudodistal cortex). Forty-four of 58 (76%) tibial stress fractures and 18 of 32 (56%) humeral stress fractures were identified radiographically. Humeral stress fractures involving the caudodistal cortex were not detected radiographically. Treatment consisted of rest and exercise restriction, and 49 of 61 (80%) horses with tibial stress fractures and 30 of 39 (77%) horses with humeral stress fractures returned to racing. Humeral stress fractures recurred in 6 horses. Conclusions: Results suggested that in Thoroughbred racehorses, tibial stress fractures occurred most commonly in unraced 2 year olds, whereas humeral fractures occurred most commonly in older horses that had raced previously. The prognosis for racing following treatment was good.
Publication Date: 2003-02-25 PubMed ID: 12597423DOI: 10.2460/javma.2003.222.491Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The article studies the clinical features and results of Thoroughbred racehorses with tibial or humeral stress fractures, indicating that such injuries most commonly occur in 2-year-old or previously unraced horses and older, raced horses respectively, and that a good prognosis can generally be expected post-treatment.
Research Methodology
- The study examined 99 Thoroughbreds which had tibial or humeral stress fractures in a retrospective manner.
- Data was procured from medical records, which included the horse’s past history, signalment (detailed description of the horse), along with clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic (a type of diagnostic test) findings.
- Outcomes of treatment were assessed via interviews with trainers, conducting follow-up examinations, and by studying race records.
Research Findings
- The study uncovered 74 tibial and 48 humeral stress fractures among the subjects. Tibial stress fractures were identified in 61 Thoroughbreds while 39 Thoroughbreds had humeral stress fractures.
- Tibial stress fractures were most prevalent in 2-year-old or unraced horses and were typically located in one of three specific areas in the tibia, the most usual being the caudolateral cortex of the mid-diaphysis.
- Humerus fractures were commonly found in one of four locations within the humerus, predominantly the caudodistal cortex, and these were more common in older horses that had raced earlier.
- Out of 58 tibial stress fractures, 44 (76%) were identified radiographically while out of 32 humeral stress fractures, 18 (56%) were recognized in this way. However, humeral stress fractures involving the caudodistal cortex could not be detected radiographically.
Treatment and Outcomes
- Treatment consisted of rest and exercise restriction. Post treatment, 49 out of 61 horses (80%) with tibial stress fractures and 30 out of 39 horses (77%) with humeral stress fractures were able to return to racing.
- There were repeated instances of humeral stress fractures in 6 horses.
Conclusion
- The study suggests that Thoroughbred racehorses are most likely to get tibial stress fractures when they are 2-years-old or unraced and humeral fractures are more common in older, previously raced horses.
- The prognosis for a successful return to racing post-treatment is generally favorable.
Cite This Article
APA
O'Sullivan CB, Lumsden JM.
(2003).
Stress fractures of the tibia and humerus in Thoroughbred racehorses: 99 cases (1992-2000).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 222(4), 491-498.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2003.222.491 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Randwick Equine Centre, 3 Jane St, Randwick, NSW 2035, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Fractures, Stress / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Stress / therapy
- Fractures, Stress / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Humeral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
- Humeral Fractures / therapy
- Humeral Fractures / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Prognosis
- Radiography
- Radionuclide Imaging
- Recurrence
- Rest
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
- Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging
- Tibial Fractures / therapy
- Tibial Fractures / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bowers K, Weinhandl JT, Anderson DE. A review of equine tibial fractures.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):171-181.
- MacEoin F, Robinson P. Repetitive stress-related injury of the proximal metacarpus in a seven-year old Thoroughbred racehorse with emphasis on diagnostic analgesia of the proximopalmar metacarpus.. Ir Vet J 2014;67(1):26.
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