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 treatment 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 treatment consisted of confinement to a stall were included in this study. Clinical features and radiographic findings were recorded and summarized. Outcome was determined for racing breeds by obtaining official lifetime race results. Outcome for Quarter Horses was determined by phone survey of the owners. Results-16 (64%) horses had a successful outcome. Ten of 14 (71%) Standardbreds and 2 of 6 Thoroughbreds returned to racing and started at least 5 races after injury. Four of 5 Quarter Horses for which follow-up information was available successfully returned to their previous activity. Sex, age, limb affected, or gait was not associated with final outcome. Percentage of racehorses with central tarsal bone fractures that had a successful outcome (2/7) was significantly less than percentage with third tarsal bone fractures that did (10/13). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that enforced rest without surgical fixation can be an effective therapeutic option for horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone, even if athletic function is expected.