Results of treatment of 145 fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal condyles in 135 horses (1986–1994)

Abstract

Summary The objectives of this study were to correlate condylar fracture characteristics and type of treatment with subsequent capacity for athletic ability, and to determine the characteristics of healing that affect prognosis after fracture fixation. Medical records, post operative radiographic studies and race records were examined for 135 horses sustaining 145 fractures. Sixty‐five percent of horses overall started in a race post injury (SPI) in a mean time of 9.7 months with a mean of 13.7 races post injury. Having raced pre‐injury did not confer an advantage to starting post injury, though nonstarters pre‐injury tended to take longer to return. For horses starting pre‐ and post injury, 66% improved or maintained their race class level after injury, whereas 64.2% decreased their race earnings post injury. Eighty‐five percent of the fractures received internal fixation, of which 70% were complete fractures. Eighty‐seven percent of horses with incomplete‐nondisplaced fractures treated conservatively raced post injury. The percent SPI for incomplete‐nondisplaced, complete‐nondisplaced and complete‐displaced fractures treated with internal fixation were 74%, 58%, and 60%, respectively. Males (72%) raced post injury more frequently than fillies (53%), and may represent a truer probability of SPI. Spiral fractures tended to take longer until their first start (mean 13.3 months). Fifty‐two percent of horses with articular fragments were able to race post injury. Horses were more likely to start if 2–4 month radiographic healing revealed no evidence of the fracture except the presence of lag screws. Based on this series of cases, the majority of horses, with proper treatment, were able to return to racing regardless of fracture characteristic. Prognosis appeared to be affected by the severity of the injury to the joint, the presence of articular comminution and the quality of surgical repair.

Outcome of lag-screw treatment of incomplete fractures of the frontal plane of the radial facet of the third carpal bone in horses

“…Many incomplete fractures will heal following rest alone (Kawcak et al 1995;Zekas et al 1999;Davidson et al 2005); in others, osteostixis has been successful (Specht and Colahan 1990;Watt et al 1998). INFR of C3 has been treated successfully following removal of the affected bone and cartilage (Moore and Schneider 1995).…”

Computed Tomographic Imaging of Subchondral Fatigue Cracks in the Distal End of the Third Metacarpal Bone in the Thoroughbred Racehorse Can Predict Crack Micromotion in an Ex-Vivo Model

“…Some of these injuries are catastrophic and require euthanasia of the horse [1], [2]. In horses where surgical treatment is indicated, prognosis for return to athletic activity is not always favorable [2]–[4]. Risk of catastrophic injury may be as high as 2.17%, or 1 in every 46 race starts at some National Hunt racecourses in the United Kingdom [5].…”

Calcified tissue structure in the distal condyle of the third metacarpal bone in young Thoroughbred horses

“…The economic consequences of fracture include veterinary expense, loss of income during convalescence and reduced likelihood of maintaining earnings once returned to racing (Rick, O'Brien, Pool and Meagher 1983;Zekas, Bramlage, Embertson and Hance 1999b), or euthanasia. Fillies and colts with ongoing lameness or failure to perform may be used for breeding, while geldings have no other use within the racing industry and may be euthanised or leave the industry to another equestrian discipline.…”