Incomplete talus bone fractures in 11 racehorses and their recovery

Abstract

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 degrees 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.