ARTHROSCOPIC REMOVAL OF ABAXIAL FRACTURE FRAGMENTS OF THE PROXIMAL SESAMOID BONES IN HORSES - 47 CASES (1989-1997)

Objective-To determine the outcome of horses after arthroscopic remova l of abaxial fracture fragments of the proximal sesamoid bone and asso ciation of fracture grade with outcome. Design-Retrospective study. An imals-47 horses. Procedure-Information obtained from dorsopalmar and d orsoplantar radiographic views of metacarpophalangeal and metatarsopha langeal joints was used to classify fractures as grade 1 (< 15 mm long ), grade 2 (15 to 25 mm long), and grade 3 (> 25 mm long) and type 1 ( abaxial) and type 2 (apical-abaxial). Outcome was determined by whethe r the horse returned to its intended use, raced in the same class or h igher (race-horses), or performed satisfactorily (nonracehorses). Numb er of starts, performance index, and money earned were also used to ev aluate performance of racehorses. Clinical Implications-Overall, horse s with abaxial fractures of the proximal sesamoid bone have a favorabl e prognosis for return to racing, but only a fair prognosis for return to racing in the same class, after arthroscopic removal of fracture f ragments. Successful results can be expected for nonracehorses.