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Published on: January 23, 2018
Racing performance after arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred horses age < 2
L V Schnabel1, L R Bramlage, H O Mohammed
1Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, PO Box 12070, 2150 Georgetown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40580, USA.
Reasons For Performing Study:
Studies on arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred (TB) horses age > or = 2 years have reported a high success rate. However, there are no reports documenting the racing prognosis of TB horses that undergo such surgery as weanlings or yearlings.
Objectives:
To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in immature TB horses, age < 2 years and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in 151 TB weanlings and yearlings.
Methods:
The medical records of TB horses age < 2 years that underwent arthroscopic surgery for removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained from race records. Student's t tests were used to compare performance variables of operated racehorses to that of their maternal siblings.
Results:
Ninety-two percent (139/151) of fractures occurred in the hindlimbs and 8% (11/151) in the forelimbs (fracture of both fore- and hindlimb, n = 1). Horses with forelimb fractures had a greatly reduced probability of racing (55%) compared to those with hindlimb fractures (86%). Overall, 84% of the horses raced post operatively and had performance records similar to that of their maternal siblings, 78% (787/1006) of which raced.
Conclusions:
Arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments in TB weanlings and yearlings carries an excellent prognosis for racing in horses with hindlimb fractures and a reduced prognosis in those with forelimb fractures. Medial fractures of the forelimb carry the worst prognosis.
Potential Relevance:
The determination of prognosis increases knowledge on apical sesamoid bone fractures and potential for arthroscopic restoration of the ability to race; and enables the value of yearlings for subsequent sale to be established.