Equine fracture management workshop

Question 1

What factors affect the decision when dealing with an equine fracture

Answer 1

Patient factors:
- weight
- age
- future potential
Fracture factors:
- intact strut of bone
- location
- severity
Owner factors:
- preference
- finance

Question 2

In what equine fracture has the lowest chance of healing

Answer 2

a complete fracture of a major bone above the carpus or tarsus => euthanise

Question 3

What are the risks of an intra-articular fracture

Answer 3

synovial sepsis
arthritis

Question 4

Describe the features and healing process of this fracture

Answer 4

3 fracture lines in splint bones
Splint bones are not weight bearing so can be fixed conservatively

Question 5

What can you see here?

Answer 5

Palmer pouch of fetlock joint is distended – synovial cavity of fetlock joint extends between suspensory ligament and canon bone (normally cannot feel this)
Could be fracture or synovial sepsis

Question 6

Describe the repair of this fracture

Answer 6

Intra-articular – need to repair promptly with good apposition of fragments + internal fixation to prevent arthritis
Could go back into racing if repair done well

Question 7

Is this a lateral or medial fracture? How can you tell?

Answer 7

Lateral fracture – medial side of joint is larger

Question 8

Describe the features and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 8

Incomplete fracture in only 1 cortex of bone
Good prognosis for conservative management (Robert Jones Bandage)

Question 9

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 9

Fractured splint bone
Non-weight bearing
Could become more displaced and develop callus formation and damage suspensory ligament if left
Remove fragments of bone
Ultrasound suspensory ligament to check for damage

Question 10

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 10

Weight bearing bone
Comminuted (in multiple planes) Intra-articular fracture
Below knee
Euthanasia best solution

Question 11

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 11

Olecranon fracture - muscle attachment point => long, drooping leg
Complete, closed fracture
Above carpus
Non-weight bearing
Candidate for surgical repair
Plate can be added to easily accessible, tension side of fracture

Question 12

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 12

Slab fracture of 3rd carpal bone
Horse can still stand (lame due to pain)
Intra-articular so needs to be repaired as it is a big slab fracture
Repaired using a screw
Horse would be able to race again

Question 13

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture

Answer 13

Comminuted, complete, displaced fracture of tibia (long bone)
Euthanise

Question 14

Describe the features, repair and prognosis of this fracture (1 week old foal)

Answer 14

complete, non-displaced fracture
Foal will be light, not affecting growth plates
Fixed with plates