Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis with 3 locking compression plates in 6 horses.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- Curtiss, Alexandra L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at six horses, aged between 8 months and 16 years, that had serious problems with their knee joints, including fractures and arthritis. The horses underwent a surgical procedure to stabilize their knee joints using three special plates, and in five of the six cases, bone grafts were added to help the healing process. After surgery, the horses were kept in supportive wraps for about 4 to 6 weeks. All six horses were able to heal well and return to pasture within 4 to 5 months, although one horse needed to have a plate removed later due to it causing irritation on the skin. Overall, the treatment was successful, allowing all the horses to regain their ability to move comfortably.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of horses after pancarpal or partial carpal arthrodesis with 3 locking compression plates (LCP). STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Six horses ranging in age from 8 months to 16 years and weighing 227-580 kg with severe carpal pathology including acute fractures, chronic osteoarthritis, and chronic angular limb deformity. METHODS: Pancarpal or partial carpal arthrodesis was performed with 3 LCP. Autologous cancellous bone grafts were used in 5 of 6 cases to facilitate joint arthrodesis. RESULTS: External coaptation was maintained for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Radiographic follow-up was available in all 6 cases, all of which reached arthrodesis and pasture soundness by 4-5 months postoperatively. One case required implant removal at 6 months because of implant exposure through the skin but returned to pasture soundness after removal. CONCLUSION: Carpal instability due to acute fractures or chronic disease was successfully stabilized with 3 short LCP, leading to pasture soundness in all 6 horses. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of 3 short LCP should be considered as a strategy to facilitate pancarpal or partial carpal arthrodesis by providing superior stability without placement of implants in the diaphysis of the radius and third metacarpus.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30129065/