Fractures of the tuber coxa of the ilium in horses: 29 cases (1996-2007).
OBJECTIVE
To determine history; clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic abnormalities; treatment; and outcome in horses with tuber coxae fractures and to describe a useful technique for obtaining a dorsomedial-ventrolateral 50 degrees oblique radiographic view of the tuber coxa of the ilium in standing horses.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
29 horses with fractures of tuber coxa.


METHODS
Data collected from medical records included signalment; history; horse use; severity and duration of lameness; radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic findings; treatment; and outcome.


RESULTS
All horses had a traumatic event leading to acute, unilateral hind limb lameness. Eighteen horses had a more severe lameness at the walk than at the trot; 22 of 29 horses had an abnormal gait with the hind limbs tracking to 1 side of the forelimbs. Twenty-four of 29 horses had palpable and visual asymmetry between the affected and unaffected tuber coxae. Twenty horses had radiography performed while sedated but standing, and fractures were reliably identified on the dorsomedial-ventrolateral 50 degrees oblique radiographic views. Twenty-seven (27/29 [93%]) horses returned to athletic use. Horses sustaining partial fractures of the caudal aspect of tuber coxae returned to previous use significantly earlier (mean, 3 months), compared with horses with complete tuber coxae fractures (6.5 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Horses with tuber coxae fractures returned to athletic soundness following extended periods of rest. Findings emphasized the need for obtaining a dorsomedial-ventrolateral 50 degrees oblique radiographic view of the tuber coxa of the ilium in horses suspected of sustaining injury to this region.
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Robin M
RM
Dabareiner
Robert C
RC
Cole
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D007085:Ilium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography