Читать книгу Fractures in the Horse - Группа авторов - Страница 154

The most common, and likely the greatest, source of negative effects that inflammation can have in equine fracture healing is infection. Infection can result from contamination at the time of fracture or at the time of repair. The presence of foreign material (i.e. implants) commonly makes resolution impossible until these are removed. A number of procedures exist to prevent and combat infection (Chapters 9, 11, and 14). At a tissue level, the development of chronic inflammation can lead to compromised vascularity, impaired cell signalling, instability and persistent pain [26].

In other species, host factors have been correlated with the quality of fracture healing. In people, age, immune status, metabolic status and social behaviours can all have negative impacts [10]. Although there has been no correlation between quality of fracture healing and systemic metabolic conditions in the horse, it appears plausible and logical. In humans and other species, ageing has a negative effect [43]. This may be mediated through the immune system and/or negative influences on angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cell activity and reduced progenitor cell numbers and activity [43]. Clinical experience suggests that age also appears to be correlated with fracture healing in horses. It is likely that both size and healing capacity explain why young animals have a better chance of successful repair than adults.