Premium
Incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus in 11 racehorses: outcome
Author(s) -
DAVIDSON E. J.,
ROSS M. W.,
PARENTE E. J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516405774480030
Subject(s) - medicine , sagittal plane , outcome (game theory) , fracture (geology) , orthodontics , surgery , anatomy , geology , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , mathematical economics
Summary Reasons for performing study : Little information exists regarding talus fractures in the horse and there have been no previously published case series of racehorses diagnosed with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Objective : To describe the diagnosis, treatment and post injury performance of horses with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Methods : Medical records of 11 racehorses (8 Standardbreds and 3 Thoroughbreds) admitted between January 1992 and January 1999 were reviewed. Subject details, anamnesis, results of lameness examination, radiographs and nuclear scintigraphic findings were evaluated. Racing performance was assessed by comparing pre‐ and post injury race records. Results : Nuclear scintigraphic examination, performed in 8 of the 11 horses, revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the proximal aspect of the affected talus. Fractures could best be seen on dorsal 10–20° lateral‐plantaromedial oblique radiographs; all had raced pre‐injury. All horses were treated conservatively and follow‐up information was available for 8 horses, of which 7 raced after injury. Performance in 3 horses was improved, in 1 it was unchanged and in 3 horses performance declined. Conclusions : Horses with incomplete fracture of the talus have a good prognosis for return to racing after conservative management. Potential relevance : Incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus should be considered as a cause of hindlimb lameness in racehorses. Further research is necessary to determine the pathophysiology of these fractures.