Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of a comminuted frontal-plane fracture of the distal phalanx in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1996
- Authors:
- Anderson, B H et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical and Population Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse suffered a serious fracture in its foot, specifically in a bone called the distal phalanx, which is near where a tendon attaches. To help the bone heal, the veterinarians used a special hoof cast that supported the foot and reduced stress on the area while the horse was standing. They also elevated the heel slightly to lessen the strain on the fracture from the tendon. After four months, the fracture showed signs of healing on X-rays, but the horse was still limping. However, by seven months after the injury, the horse was sound and walking normally, and a check-up a year later showed no issues at all.
Abstract
Successful treatment of a comminuted frontal plane fracture of the distal phalanx in a horse is described. The bone fractured through the solar canal, close to the insertion of the deep digital flexor tendon. A hoof case was used to reduce bending and tensile stresses on the solar surface by limiting expansion of the hoof wall during weightbearing. In addition, the heel was elevated, using 3 degrees wedge pads incorporated within the hoof cast, to reduce distraction at the fracture site caused by the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon. Two casts were used over a 4-month period. Complete radiographic healing of the fracture was evident 4 months after injury. At this time the horse was lame at the trot. The owner reported the horse to be sound 7 months after injury. Reexamination 12 months after injury revealed a clinically normal foot and no lameness.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8921035/