Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical repair of distal radius fracture in adult horse
By Rodgerson, D H et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2001·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fracture repair of the distal portion of the radius by use of a condylar screw implant in an adult horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was brought in after falling during training, resulting in an open fracture of the left radius. He couldn't put weight on his left front leg, and X-rays showed a long fracture. The vet performed surgery using a condylar screw implant to stabilize the bone. Although the horse initially recovered, he developed severe pain and lameness six months later due to bone loss around the implant. After removing the plate, he was able to return to light training without any lameness 16 months post-surgery.
People also search for: horse leg fracture treatment · Quarter Horse lameness after surgery · condylar screw implant recovery time
Abstract
An 8-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated because of an open fracture involving the left radius. The horse had fallen during training and became immediately non-weight-bearing in the left forelimb. On initial evaluation, the horse was unable to bear weight on that limb; radiography revealed a long oblique fracture of the distal metaphysis of the radius with minimal displacement of the fracture fragments. Because of the configuration of the fracture, we recommended surgical intervention with internal fixation. A condylar screw implant and 4.5-mm broad dynamic compression plate were applied to the medial and dorsolateral aspects of the radius, respectively. The horse recovered in a sling and full-limb bandage. Six months after discharge, the horse was reevaluated because of a grade 4/5 lameness in the same limb. Palpation revealed signs of severe pain over the distomedial aspect of the radius. Radiography of the left radius revealed severe osteolysis beneath the distal aspect of the condylar screw implant. Surgical removal of the medial plate was performed. Sixteen months after the initial fracture repair, the horse had returned to light training without signs of lameness. Removal of the dorsal plate may be indicated if this horse is to return to aggressive training or becomes lame in the left forelimb.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11417743/