Comparing racing performance following arthroscopic surgery of metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal and carpal joints in Thoroughbred racehorses rehabilitated using conventional and underwater treadmill therapies.

BACKGROUND

Rehabilitation of horses using underwater treadmill therapy has been shown to improve joint range of motion, joint mobility, stride length and proprioceptive parameters with experimental studies. However, studies investigating the prognosis and return to function following rehabilitation are lacking.

METHODS

A retrospective study of Thoroughbred racehorses treated with arthroscopic surgery for osteochondral fragments of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints or carpal joints undergoing conventional rehabilitation or underwater treadmill assisted rehabilitation at the same facility were included. The objective of the current study was to investigate if underwater treadmill assisted rehabilitation following arthroscopy in the Thoroughbred racehorse was positively associated with returning to racing, time to return to racing and postoperative racing performance including Beyer Speed Figures.

RESULTS

Surgery was performed on 165 horses on 174 surgical occasions; 70 (40.2 per cent) underwent underwater treadmill rehabilitation, with the remainder undergoing conventional rehabilitation. The time to return to racing was a median of 227 (IQR 185-281) days and 239 (IQR 205-303) days for underwater treadmill and conventional rehabilitation, respectively (P=0.16). Of the horses that raced presurgery, 83 per cent (58/70) of underwater treadmill rehabilitated horses and 61 per cent (63/104) of horses undergoing conventional rehabilitation returned to racing following surgery (P=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Underwater treadmill rehabilitation is superior in returning a Thoroughbred racehorse to racing following arthroscopic surgery of the carpus and/or MCP/MTP joints.