Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Femoral head and neck removal helped hawk and goose walk again
By Burgdorf-Moisuk, Anne et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2011·Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful management of simple fractures of the femoral neck with femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty in two free-living avian species.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A red-tailed hawk and a Canada goose were brought in for limping on one leg due to fractures in their femoral necks. Both birds underwent a surgical procedure called femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty, which involved removing part of the bone. After surgery, they were encouraged to use their legs right away instead of being kept still. Within two weeks, both birds were using their injured limbs well enough to be released back into the wild or sent to a rehabilitation facility. This approach helps birds recover quickly so they can return to their natural habitats.
People also search for: bird limping treatment · hawk leg injury recovery · goose femoral neck fracture surgery
Abstract
A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Canada goose (Branta canadensis) were evaluated for unilateral pelvic limb lameness. Physical examination findings and results of diagnostic imaging revealed femoral neck fractures in both birds. Both birds were treated with a femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty. The affected legs were not immobilized, and the birds were encouraged to use the legs immediately after surgery to encourage formation of a pseudoarthrosis. Within 2 weeks, both birds were using the affected limb well enough to be either successfully released or transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty without immobilization of the limb is recommended for managing avian femoral neck fractures, especially in free-ranging species in which a rapid and complete or near complete return to function is vital for survival in the wild.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22216722/