Long-term outcome of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone treated conservatively: 25 cases (1976-1993)

Objective-To determine clinical features of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone and to report outcome of horses in which t reatment did not include surgery. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-25 horses (14 Standardbreds, 6 Thoroughbreds, 5 Quarter Horses). Procedure-Medical records of horses with a slab fracture of the central (n = 9) or third (16) tarsal bone were reviewed. Only horses for which treatme nt consisted of confinement to a stall were included in this study. Clinica l features and radiographic findings were recorded and summarized. Outcome was determined for racing breeds by obtaining official lifetime race result s. Outcome for Quarter Horses was determined by phone survey of the owners. Results-16 (64%) horses had a successful outcome. Ten of 14 (71%) Standardb reds and 2 of 6 Thoroughbreds returned to racing and started at least 5 rac es after injury. Four of 5 Quarter Horses for which follow-up information w as available successfully returned to their previous activity. Sex, age, li mb affected, or gait was not associated with final outcome. Percentage of r acehorses with central tarsal bone fractures that had a successful outcome (2/7) was significantly less than percentage with third tarsal bone fractur es that did (10/13). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that enforced rest witho ut surgical fixation can be an effective therapeutic option for horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone, even if athletic func tion is expected.