Equine Fractures

Question 1

What two characteristics of the trauma causing a fracture determines the configuration of a fracture?

Answer 1

(The direction and amount of force associated with the causing trauma)

Question 2

(T/F) You should place a splint on a suspect fracture prior to taking field radiographs.

Answer 2

(T)

Question 3

(T/F) A distal limb fracture should always be splinted.

Answer 3

(T)

Question 4

If you are placing a splint on a patient with a fracture anywhere from the distal quarter of the cannon bone to the coronary band in a forelimb, where should the splint extend to and from?

Answer 4

(Should extend from the toe to just below the carpus)

Question 5

If you are placing a splint on a patient with a fracture anywhere from the distal quarter of the radius to mid cannon bone, where should the splints extend to and from?

Answer 5

(Elbow to floor, 2 splints one caudal and one lateral)

Question 6

Why must a splint placed for a mid to proximal radius fracture extend from the ground to the withers?

Answer 6

(When the horse uses the limb, the muscles in the proximal forelimb will abduct the limb instead of their normal movement due to the incomplete bony column; splint needs to extend past the joint above and below to attempt to mitigate that effect)

Question 7

What are three differentials if you are presented with a horse with a dropped elbow?

Answer 7

(Radial nerve injury, olecranon fracture, humerus fracture → can place a caudal splint)

Question 8

When splinting a rear limb with a fracture anywhere from the distal quarter of the cannon bone to the coronary band, the splint is placed on the dorsal/plantar (choose) side.

Answer 8

(Plantar)

Question 9

Optimally, though not always possible, when transporting a horse with a fracture, the limb with the fracture should be placed at the front/rear (choose) of the trailer.

Answer 9

(Rear → if a hard brake occurs, the horse will shift forward and onto which ever legs are at the front)