Central tarsal bone fractures in horses not used for racing: Computed tomographic configuration and long-term outcome of lag screw fixation.
BACKGROUND
There are no reports on the configuration of equine central tarsal bone fractures based on cross-sectional imaging and clinical and radiographic long-term outcome after internal fixation.


OBJECTIVE
To report clinical, radiographic and computed tomographic findings of equine central tarsal bone fractures and to evaluate the long-term outcome of internal fixation.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
All horses diagnosed with a central tarsal bone fracture at our institution in 2009-2013 were included. Computed tomography and internal fixation using lag screw technique was performed in all patients. Medical records and diagnostic images were reviewed retrospectively. A clinical and radiographic follow-up examination was performed at least 1 year post operatively.


RESULTS
A central tarsal bone fracture was diagnosed in 6 horses. Five were Warmbloods used for showjumping and one was a Quarter Horse used for reining. All horses had sagittal slab fractures that began dorsally, ran in a plantar or plantaromedial direction and exited the plantar cortex at the plantar or plantaromedial indentation of the central tarsal bone. Marked sclerosis of the central tarsal bone was diagnosed in all patients. At long-term follow-up, 5/6 horses were sound and used as intended although mild osteophyte formation at the distal intertarsal joint was commonly observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Central tarsal bone fractures in nonracehorses had a distinct configuration but radiographically subtle additional fracture lines can occur. A chronic stress related aetiology seems likely. Internal fixation of these fractures based on an accurate diagnosis of the individual fracture configuration resulted in a very good prognosis.
Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
S
S
Gunst
Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
F
F
Del Chicca
Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
A E
AE
Fürst
Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
J M
JM
Kuemmerle
D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
central tarsal bone; computed tomography; fracture; horse; osteosynthesis