Prognosis for Return to Racing in Standardbred Horses with Distal Fracture of the Second or Fourth Metacarpal or Metatarsal (Splint) Bone and Concurrent Desmitis of the Suspensory Ligament Branch. Robinson C, Hargitaiová K, Fousekis E, Galea K. Vets On Wheels, Marsa, Malta.
Fracture of the distal second or fourth metacarpal or metatarsal (splint) bone frequently occurs in Standardbred racehorses. However, a previous report states that concurrent desmitis of the suspensory ligament branch reduces the prognosis for return to previous performance to 25%. Our objective was to evaluate prognosis for return to performance after splint bone fracture with concurrent desmitis of the suspensory ligament. A prospective study was conducted between 2019 and 2021. All Standardbred horses diagnosed with acute, closed fracture of the distal splint bone were included. All horses had radiography, ultrasonography, and underwent partial ostectomy according to standardized technique. Return to racing was ascertained from the Malta Trot Racing association records. Owners of horses that had not raced postoperatively were contacted by telephone. Fourteen horses were included, all male, average age 10 years. Eleven horses had concurrent desmitis of the suspensory ligament branch. At follow-up 8/11 are sound and training, 5/11 have raced, and 3/11 horses were lost to follow-up. Three horses did not have suspensory ligament branch desmitis; one returned to racing, one was sound but retired and one was lost to follow-up. Six horses with suspensory ligament desmitis received intralesional platelet rich plasma; 5/6 were sound, 2/6 raced, and 1/6 was lost to follow-up. The main limitation was that postoperative rehabilitation was not standardized. This study shows that standardbred horses with distal splint bone fracture and concurrent desmitis of the suspensory ligament branch have a better prognosis than previously documented.