Association between sesamoiditis, subclinical ultrasonographic suspensory ligament branch change and subsequent clinical injury in yearling Thoroughbreds.
Authors: Plevin S, McLellan J, O'Keeffe T
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
Sesamoiditis commonly appears on radiographs of yearling Thoroughbreds, yet its clinical significance remains poorly understood, particularly regarding progression to suspensory ligament branch injury (SLBI)—a career-limiting condition in racehorses. Plevin, McLellan and O'Keeffe's 2016 investigation examined whether radiographic sesamoiditis and subclinical ultrasonographic suspensory ligament branch changes in untrained yearlings could predict subsequent clinical SLBI, using longitudinal follow-up of a cohort to establish associations between these early findings and injury development. The researchers identified specific ultrasonographic markers of subclinical suspensory ligament branch change in asymptomatic yearlings and determined which animals subsequently developed clinical suspensory ligament branch injuries during training and racing. These findings have direct implications for yearling purchase decisions, pre-training management protocols, and early intervention strategies, as practitioners can now use combined radiographic and ultrasonographic assessment to stratify injury risk rather than dismissing sesamoiditis as an inconsequential radiological finding. This evidence-based approach to yearling evaluation enables more informed prognostication and potentially targeted prophylactic measures—such as modified conditioning programmes or additional soft tissue support—for high-risk individuals before clinical injury manifests.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Yearlings presenting with sesamoiditis warrant ultrasonographic screening for subclinical suspensory ligament changes, as this may indicate risk for future racing injury
- •Early detection of SSLBC in asymptomatic animals could guide training protocols and preventive management to reduce subsequent clinical injury
- •Prognosis for yearlings with sesamoiditis can be refined by incorporating ultrasonographic findings of suspensory ligament branch status
Key Findings
- •Sesamoiditis is a common radiological finding in yearling Thoroughbreds
- •Subclinical suspensory ligament branch changes can be detected ultrasonographically in untrained yearlings
- •Association exists between sesamoiditis, SSLBC, and subsequent clinical SLBI development
- •Early identification of these conditions may enable intervention and prevention strategies for SLBI