FRACTURE OF THE DISTAL SESAMOID BONE IN HORSES - 17 CASES (1982-1992)

Medical records of 17 horses in which a distal sesamoid bone fracture was diagnosed between 1982 and 1992 were reviewed. There were 8 Standa rdbreds, 6 Quarter Houses, 2 Thoroughbreds, and 1 Arabian. Mean age wa s 4.7 years. A forelimb was affected in 15 hones, and a hind limb was affected in 2. All houses were lame, and most were grade III/V lame at the trot. In all horses, the diagnosis was confirmed by means of radi ography. Five hones were treated with stall rest alone; 5 underwent ne urectomy; 4 were treated with stall rest and corrective shoeing; and 1 was treated with stall vest and external coaptation. The other 2 hous es were euthanatized. Two Quarter Hones, 1 treated with stall vest and corrective shoeing and the other treated with stall rest and external coaptation, returned to we as halter houses, and 2 Standardbreds trea ted with stall rest alone returned to racing, but at a lower level tha n they had raced prior to injury. One house that underwent neurectomy could be used for pleasure riding. Long-term rest may be important in achieving a successful outcome. Pleasure houses would appear to have a better prognosis for return to we after a distal sesamoid bone fractu re than do performance horses.