fracture | Horse Racing Free Tips

A Pain In The Neck: Literally

A surgical technique traditionally used for equine limb fractures has shown promise as a repair for horses with a specific type of broken neck. Fractures of cervical vertebra, which can occur from falls, often cause horses to be sore, stiff, and uncoordinated.

Dr. Fabrice Rossignol and colleagues tested the limb repair methodology on three horses with cervical fractures that were referred to Clinique Vétérinaire de Grosbois in Boissy Saint Leger. The surgery stabilized the affected neck bones with screws and plates; on one horse, two vertebra were fused to each other for additional stabilization.

All of the fractures healed and each horse returned to full work. The team concluded that using internal fixation measures on cervical fractures had minimal complications and a positive outcome.

Maybe She’s Born With It: Navicular Fractures May Not Be Trauma-Based

Scientists in Belgium and the Netherlands have discovered that abnormalities in the navicular bone that cause lameness may not be related to trauma — some may be genetic. Partitioned navicular bones are often confused with fractures and assumed related to wear or injury.

Drs. Ellen van der Zaag, Erik Weerts, Antoon van den Belt and Willem Back documented three cases of navicular bone partitions whose sections are defined by defects in the bone, covered in smooth cartilage and vary from full separation to shallow indentations. Each was discovered when the lame horse had X-rays taken.

These abnormalities aren't injuries, the researchers note: they are present at birth and could be seen if X-rays were taken before the horse became lame. The researchers believe that these areas are caused by a disturbance in blood vessel arrangement as the bone transforms from cartilage to bone. The partitioning typically develops in two specific areas: one-third of the width of the bone from either end, where blood vessels converge.

The partitions in the bone weaken it. As a horse grows and enters work, these partitions may develop cysts as damaged areas begin to die, making the horse lame. If the condition is found before the horse becomes lame, then corrective trims and shoeing, restricted exercise, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use may help preserve the horse's soundness.

However, the prognosis for soundness is poor even when these tactics are employed. A neurectomy, where the nerve is surgically severed, isn't recommended as it would accelerate cyst formation and increase fracture risk.

Moonlight D’Oro, Charlie’s Penny Both Off Oaks Trail Due To Injury

Recent stakes winners Moonlight d'Oro and Charlie's Penny have both been taken out of consideration for the 2021 Kentucky Oaks due to injury.

According to bloodhorse.com, G3 Las Virgenes Stakes winner Moonlight d'Oro was diagnosed with a chip in her right knee. The Spendthrift Farm and MyRacehorse-owned filly will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove the chip, and is expected to require 60-90 days off after the procedure.

“There was a little bit of heat, they took an X-ray, and found a small chip,” Michael Behrens, founder and CEO of co-owner MyRacehorse, told bloodhorse.com. “This is why we're with (trainer Richard) Mandella's team; he always does right by the horse and cares about what is best for the horse. He thinks it's best for the horse to do the surgery now and shut her down, and we're going to do what's best for her. We're hopeful this will be just a small setback.”

Lothenbach Stables' homebred Charlie's Penny, easy winner of the Silverbulletday Stakes, has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture to her shin, reports the Daily Racing Form. Trainer Chris Block reported that x-rays were taken after a small bump on her shin was found, but it took a second round of x-rays to uncover the small fracture. The Race Day filly will head to Florida for 90 days off.

“It's a tiny fissure line but it's there, and I'm glad we caught it when we did,” Block told drf.com.

Read more at bloodhorse.com and drf.com.

The post Moonlight D’Oro, Charlie’s Penny Both Off Oaks Trail Due To Injury appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Condylar Fracture Not Career Ending For Bella Ciao

Bella Ciao, a 3-year-old filly trained by father-and-son team Alessandro and Antonio San, and owned by Cairoli Racing Stable and Magic Stables LLC, sustained a condylar fracture to her right front leg in April of 2019. She had just finished breezing at Gulfstream Park West in Miami Gardens, FL, when the break occurred.

Palm Beach Equine Clinic took on the filly's case, with Dr. Robert Brusie leading the care team. A condylar fracture occurs after repetitive strain fractures the cannon bone during high-speed work. On an X-ray, the fracture looks like a crack that goes up the cannon bone and out the side, breaking off a corner of the cannon bone.

These fractures can be incomplete and non-displaced, meaning that the bone has not chipped off and is in its original position. Complete, displaced fractures mean that the fragment has moved away from the cannon bone; these types of condylar fractures are more difficult to repair.

Dr. Brusie surgically repaired the fracture with screws and recommended stall rest and handwalking for the first few months after she had surgery. The filly went back to the track at the end of October in a $45,000 allowance race, which she won.

The filly has won additional races in 2020, proving that not all condylar fractures are career ending.