Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jan;49(1):88-95.
doi: 10.1111/vsu.13314. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Long-term clinical and radiographic results after lag screw ostheosynthesis of short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses not used for racing

Marco F Bryner  1 , Seamus E Hoey  2 , Stéphane Montavon  3 , Anton E Fürst  1 , Jan M Kümmerle  1
Affiliations

Long-term clinical and radiographic results after lag screw ostheosynthesis of short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses not used for racing

Marco F Bryner et al. Vet Surg. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation.

Study design: Retrospective study.

Sample population: Thirty-one horses.

Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations.

Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic activity level. In total, 15 horses with 19 fractures had clinical and radiographic assessment after a minimum of 12 months. Among those, nine of 15 horses were sound at the trot, and six of 15 were mildly lame. Complete radiographic healing was confirmed in six limbs, and the facture line was evident in 13. The position of the proximal screw was not associated with radiographic fracture healing or return to soundness.

Conclusion: Most horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation returned to previous activity levels, although radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete 12 months or more after surgery.

Clinical significance: Lag screw fixation is a valid treatment for horses not used for racing that are experiencing an SIPSFP1 and results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing cannot be expected.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. O'Hare MS, Cox PS, Jeffrey N, Singer ER. Finite element analysis of stress in the equine proximal phalanx. Equine Vet J. 2013;45:273-277.
    1. Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E. Verbindungen der schultergliedmasse. Lehrbuch der Anatomie der Haustiere, Band I Bewegungsapparat. 8th ed. Stuttgart, Germany: Parey Verlag; 2004:230-257.
    1. Singer ER, Garcia T, Stover S. How do metacarpophalangeal joint extension, collateromotion and axial rotation influence dorsal surface strains of the equine proximal phalanx at different load levels in vitro? J Biomech. 2013;46:738-744.
    1. Dyson S, Nagy A, Murray R. Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in horses with subchondral bone trauma of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2011;52:596-604.
    1. Gold SJ, Werpy NM, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Injuries of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx in warmblood horses detected with low-field magnetic resonance imaging: 19 cases (2007-2016). Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2017;58:344-353.

LinkOut - more resources