Post operative performance of racing Standardbreds treated arthroscopically for carpal chip fractures: 176 cases (1986-1993)

A retrospective study of 176 Standardbred horses that had arthroscopic surg ery for carpal chip fractures over a 7 year period was done in order to det ermine fracture location and post operative performance. Chip fractures of the proximal third carpal bone and the distal radiocarpal bone occurred wit h equal frequency (49.2 and 49.6% respectively), and chip fractures involvi ng the antebrachiocarpal joint were rare. Trotters had significantly more t hird carpal bone lesions than radiocarpal bone lesions when compared to pac ers (P = 0.0304). Seventy-four per cent of horses made at least one start;f ollowing surgery. Pacers were significantly more likely to have at least on e start after surgery than were trotters (P = 0.0009). Median earnings per start significantly decreased after surgery (P = 0.0081), while median race mark significantly increased after surgery (P = 0.0100). It is concluded t hat the majority of Standardbreds will be useful racehorses following carpa l arthroscopy; however, most earn less money per start and many race at a l ower class.