Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Non-surgical brace helped parrot walk after both thigh bones broke
By Shakeri, Julia S et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2016·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Novel Nonsurgical Approach to Stabilization of Bilateral Pathologic Femoral Fractures in an Egg-laying Maroon-bellied Conure (Pyrrhura frontalis).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old maroon-bellied conure was brought in for treatment after suffering from both femurs (thigh bones) breaking, likely due to laying eggs and not getting enough nutrients. Since the bird's bones were too weak for surgery, a special device was created using PVC piping to support its body and keep it in a natural perching position. After three weeks of using this device, the conure was able to move around normally again. Six weeks later, the vet could feel new bone growth at the fracture sites, showing that the bird was healing well.
People also search for: conure broken leg treatment · bird leg fracture recovery · egg-laying conure health issues
Abstract
A 2-year-old, egg-laying maroon-bellied conure (Pyrrhura frontalis) was referred for treatment of bilateral femoral fractures believed to be secondary to recent egg laying and nutritional and husbandry deficiencies. On radiographs, all skeletal components were diffusely osteopenic, precluding surgical fixation. A novel device to stabilize the bilateral femoral fractures was manufactured with polyvinyl chloride piping, which braced the bird's feet at the level of the perch and supported its upper body weight via a breast plate, thus maintaining the bird in a physiologically appropriate perching position. The conure was ambulatory and returned to normal function after 3 weeks of external coaptation with this device. After 6 weeks, callus formation was palpable over both fracture sites even though minimal bone remodeling was visible radiographically. This body splint device may present a viable alternative to euthanasia in select cases of bilateral femoral fractures in companion birds.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27315387/