The prognosis for return to athletic function for Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong with injuries to the palmaroproximal aspect of the metacarpus diagnosed using low-field magnetic resonance imaging.

The study investigates the prognosis for Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong returning to athletic function following injuries to the palmaroproximal metacarpus, diagnosed using MRI methods. The findings show that return to function is generally good, although horses with joint injuries may require a longer rehabilitation period.

Research methods

• The research was conducted by studying 29 Thoroughbred horses that participate in flat racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and who underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) between 2014 and 2022.
• The horses were categorized according to their MRI diagnosis into three groups: those with an injury to the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) only, those with both PSL and concurrent proximal third metacarpal (MC3) bone involvement, and those with proximal MC3 bone involvement alone.
• The team collected and analyzed clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and MRI reports from veterinary clinical records, combined with training and racing data of the horses.
• The prognosis for the horses’ return to athletic function, return to galloping or racing, and reinjury were all considered and compared among the categories.

Research findings

• Overall, the prognosis for return to athletic function was reasonable, with 92% and 67% of horses returning to galloping and racing, respectively.
• The rate of reinjury was comparatively low, with only 18% of the horses suffering from this.
• The length of time to return to gallop was more for horses with a concurrent injury to both the PSL and proximal MC3 bone, compared to those with just PSL injury. The median time was found to be 116 days for the prior and 69 days for the latter.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that while the prognosis for return to racing is generally good, horses with injuries involving both PSL and proximal MC3 bone concurrently may require a longer period of rehabilitation compared to those with just PSL injuries.