Pelvic fractures in sport horses

The pelvis is one of the most important and complex areas of the horse in terms of anatomy and biomechanics. Blood vessels like the bifurcation of the aortic end into the iliac arteries, large gluteal and femoral muscles, bone structures connected to the coxal bone, the sacrum, the proximal aspect of the femur, lumbar vertebrae and important nerve trunks like lumbosacral plexus shows the complexity of this area.

Pelvic fractures have been described as a relevant and high frequency occurring group of pathologies on the hind limb. Some anatomical areas such as ischiatic tuberosity, coxal tuberosity sacral tuberosity and femur greater trochanters, are prominent bony structures that are exposed to trauma which may induce fractures on the iliac wing, iliac neck, acetabulum, pubic bone, ischiatic bone and sacrum. Biomechanical fractures can occur by the strong contraction of large muscles which press some bony regions in certain movements like the explosion on the propulsion phase. An example of those biomechanical fractures is the iliac wing fracture or the comminute fracture of the proximal third of the femur. The prognosis can be good, reserved, or severe depending on the level of pain, soft tissues involvement and the type of fracture.

Clinical signs can vary as much as just decreased performance, as to such an intense pain that have to end with euthanasia. A good evaluation of the anatomy of the region and biomechanics as well as a good extra-abdominal and intra-rectal ultrasound examination are the basis for a quick diagnostic process to try to establish the best management possible to each fracture and each horse.

MV. MSc.PhD. Iselp/Alapile Certified. Jairo Jaramillo Cárdenas

se formó hace 24 años por la Universidad de La Salle-ULS en Bogotá, Colombia; Allí realizó su residencia en clínica y cirugía de grandes animales. Es maestro en cirugía equina por la FCAV / UNESP Jaboticabal, y doctor en cirugía equina por la FMVZ / UNESP Botucatu. Se enfocó su especialización profesional en el aparato locomotor de los equinos, terminando el programa, y siendo titulado por ALAPILE (Asociación Latinoamericana de Patología e Imagenología del Sistema Locomotor del Equino); en la secuencia, también terminó y se certificó por el ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology). Durante la titulación y certificación de estos programas, realizó un internado en el departamento de “Equine Field Service” en la Universidad de Davis (UCDAVIS) en el estado de California en Estados Unidos. Actualmente es el socio-gerente de la empresa “EQUARTER” (actuando en educación continuada) en Brasil, América Latina y algunos países de Europa y Ásia.