Apical fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone in standardbred horses: 43 cases (1990-1996)
Woodie, J.B.; Ruggles, A.J.; Bertone, A.L.; Hardy, J.; Schneider, R.K.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214(11): 1653-1656
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10363098 Document Number: 503298
Medical and racing records and radiographs of 43 Standardbred racehorses were reviewed to determine whether fracture fragment dimensions, suspensory ligament damage and racing status at the time of injury were associated with outcome in horses with apical fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone. 32 horses (74%) were pacers and 11 horses (26%) were trotters. Females earned significantly more money per start after injury than males. Hind limbs were affected in 37 horses and forelimbs in 6 horses (14%). Horses with forelimb injuries earned less money per start. Severity of suspensory ligament damage did not affect post-injury racing performance. A higher proportion of horses that had raced before injury returned to racing after surgery than horses that had not raced before injury, although a significant difference between these groups was not detected. Of horses that raced before injury, 88% raced after injury. Of horses that did not race before injury 56% raced after injury. It is concluded that dimensions of the apical fracture fragment of the proximal sesamoid bone in Standardbred horses and degree of suspensory ligament damage do not affect outcome. Prognosis for return to racing soundness is good in horses that had raced before injury and fair in horses that had not raced before injury.