Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Avulsion fracture of the origin of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Holcombe, S J & Bertone, A L
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 9-week-old colt, which is a mix of Thoroughbred and Holsteiner breeds, was brought in because he was limping on his right back leg. X-rays showed some broken pieces of bone in his knee joint, indicating that a muscle attachment had pulled away from the bone. During a procedure to look inside the joint, the vet found damaged bone and removed debris from the area. After six months of recovery, the colt was able to trot and canter normally again, showing that the treatment was successful.
Abstract
A 9-week-old Thoroughbred x Holsteiner colt was referred for evaluation and treatment of lameness of the right hind limb. Radiography of the stifle revealed multiple bony fragments within the lateral portion of the femorotibial joint and a radiolucency of the distolateral portion of the femur in the area of the extensor fossa, which were consistent with avulsion of the origin of the extensor digitorum longus muscle. Arthroscopy of the lateral portion of the femorotibial joint revealed exposed subchondral bone in the area of the extensor fossa, and the origin of the extensor digitorum longus muscle was determined to be avulsed. The joint was lavaged, and fibrin and fragments of cartilage and bone were removed from the joint. Six months after surgery, the horse appeared normal during trotting and cantering.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8050948/