The prognosis for return to athletic function for Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong with injuries to the palmaroproximal aspect of the metacarpus diagnosed using low-field magnetic resonance imaging

Thomas O. C. Ratcliffe BVM&S, Paul Robinson BVSC, DACVS , and Sarah M. Rosanowski BSc, PGDip VCS, PhD

Background: Thoroughbred racehorses often suffer from injuries to the palmaroproximal metacarpus, which can affect their performance and career. MRI is a useful diagnostic tool to assess the extent and severity of these injuries.

Study: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the prognosis for Thoroughbred racehorses with different types of injuries to the palmaroproximal metacarpus diagnosed with MRI.

Methods: The study included 29 flat racing Thoroughbreds at the Hong Kong Jockey Club that underwent MRI between 2014 and 2022. The horses were categorized based on MRI diagnosis: (1) proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) involvement only, (2) PSL and concurrent proximal third metacarpal (MC3) bone involvement, and (3) proximal MC3 bone involvement only. The outcomes measured were return to galloping or racing, and reinjury.

Results: The results showed that 92% of horses returned to galloping and 67% of horses returned to racing, with a low reinjury rate of 18%. Horses with concurrent injury to both the PSL and proximal MC3 bone took longer to return to gallop and had a higher reinjury rate than those with PSL involvement alone.

Limitations: The study had some limitations, such as the small sample size, the lack of a control group, the variability in rehabilitation protocols, and the possible influence of other factors such as age, sex, and racing class on the outcomes.

Conclusions: The study concluded that injuries involving both PSL and proximal MC3 bone concurrently require a longer rehabilitation period than those with PSL involvement alone. MRI can help to identify these injuries and guide the prognosis and management of Thoroughbred racehorses.

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