Athletic prognosis following arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments of the proximal dorsal sagittal ridge of the fetlock in Thoroughbreds intended for flat racing.
Authors: Luick Mackenzie L, Khouzam Natalie A, Pérez-Nogués Marcos
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
Osteochondral fragments of the proximal sagittal ridge represent a significant concern in young Thoroughbreds intended for racing, yet their long-term athletic prognosis has been poorly defined relative to other common fetlock lesions. This retrospective analysis compared racing outcomes across 196 yearlings treated arthroscopically for three distinct osteochondral lesion locations: proximal sagittal ridge (n=47), palmar/plantar first phalanx (n=34), and dorsoproximal first phalanx (n=115), tracking their ability to train, race, earnings, starts and race placements from a public database. Racing success rates were comparable across all three groups (76.6%, 65.71%, and 74.58% respectively), with similar career longevity, though horses with dorsoproximal lesions demonstrated notably fewer race starts after five years of age compared to the proximal sagittal ridge cohort. Sex and limb location proved significant modifiers—mares earned more at two years old but recorded fewer starts in later years, whilst forelimb lesions across all groups correlated with reduced total career starts irrespective of lesion type. For practitioners counselling owners on prognosis following arthroscopic management of proximal sagittal ridge fragments, these findings provide reassurance that athletic outcomes are not substantially worse than for the more commonly encountered dorsoproximal and palmar/plantar lesions, though forelimb involvement and female sex warrant more cautious prognostication regarding longevity of racing careers.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Proximal sagittal ridge osteochondral lesions have a favorable prognosis for return to racing (76.6%), similar to other common fetlock fragment locations—arthroscopic removal appears justified in racing prospects
- •Expect mares and horses with forelimb involvement to have reduced racing careers; this should inform owner counseling and treatment decisions
- •Older horses (5+ years) with proximal sagittal ridge lesions surprisingly maintain more racing activity than those with dorsoproximal lesions, suggesting good long-term athletic potential if initial treatment is successful
Key Findings
- •76.6% of horses with proximal sagittal ridge lesions returned to racing, compared to 65.71% with palmar/plantar and 74.58% with dorsoproximal first phalanx lesions
- •Proximal sagittal ridge lesions showed similar career length and racing prognosis to other fetlock osteochondral lesion locations
- •Horses aged five years and older with proximal sagittal ridge lesions had more racing starts than those with dorsoproximal first phalanx lesions
- •Mares and forelimb lesions were associated with fewer total career racing starts