Surgical Repair of a Unicortical Condylar Fracture in a Thoroughbred Racehorse Using a Bioabsorbable Screw.

Authors: Ravanetti Paolo, Hamon Muriel, Lechartier Antoin, Zucca Enrica

Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103384 PubMed: 33781430Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Bioabsorbable Screw Fixation for Condylar Fractures in Racehorses Unicortical fractures of the distal metacarpal/metatarsal condyles represent a significant injury in racing Thoroughbreds, yet surgical repair options remain limited in the published literature. Ravanetti and colleagues present a case of a National Hunt racehorse treated with a bioabsorbable screw to stabilize a palmar unicortical fracture of the medial condyle of the third metacarpal bone, with comprehensive documentation via radiography and magnetic resonance imaging at multiple timepoints. Within 18 weeks post-operatively, the horse had returned to soundness with normal bone architecture visible on imaging; at one-year follow-up, the horse was in active training with no recurrence and had been cleared as a racing prospect by the trainer. Whilst this remains a single-case report rather than a controlled trial, the successful outcome and documented healing trajectory warrant consideration of bioabsorbable fixation as an alternative to conventional metallic implants—particularly where avoiding a second surgical procedure to remove hardware may reduce tissue trauma and associated infection risk. Further investigation across multiple cases and comparative studies would help establish whether bioabsorbable screws offer genuine advantages over existing fixation methods for this fracture configuration in athletic horses.

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Practical Takeaways

•Bioabsorbable screws offer a viable surgical option for stabilizing unicortical condylar fractures in racehorses, with this case demonstrating successful return to competition
•Combined imaging approach (radiography + MRI) provides comprehensive assessment of fracture healing and surgical outcome
•Consider bioabsorbable fixation as an alternative to traditional metallic implants in young athletic horses to avoid potential revision surgery

Key Findings

•Bioabsorbable screw successfully stabilized a unicortical fracture of the medial condyle of MCIII in a National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorse
•Lameness resolved completely by 18 weeks post-operatively with normal bone architecture restored
•Horse returned to training and was considered racing prospect 1 year after surgery with no recurrence

Conditions Studied

unicortical condylar fracture of distal metacarpal bonelameness

Related References

Surgical management of complete diaphyseal third metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures: clinical outcome in 10 mature horses and 11 foals.

Bischofberger A S, Fürst A, Auer J, Lischer C(2009)Equine veterinary journal

A clinical evaluation of a headless, titanium, variable-pitched, tapered, compression screw for repair of nondisplaced lateral condylar fractures in thoroughbred racehorses.

Galuppo Larry D, Simpson Edwin L, Greenman Sylvia L, Dowd Joseph P, Ferraro Gregory L, Meagher Dennis M(2006)Veterinary surgery : VS

Unicortical condylar fracture of the Thoroughbred fetlock: 45 cases (2006-2013).

Ramzan P H L, Palmer L, Powell S E(2015)Equine veterinary journal

Slab fractures of the third tarsal bone: Minimally invasive repair using a single 3.5 mm cortex screw placed in lag fashion in 17 Thoroughbred racehorses.

Barker W H J, Wright I M(2017)Equine veterinary journal

Surgical repair of propagating condylar fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bones with cortical screws placed in lag fashion in 26 racehorses (2007-2015).

Moulin N, François I, Coté N, Alford C, Cleary O, Desjardins M R(2018)Equine veterinary journal