Fractures 1 And 2 Flashcards
If you’re taking radiographs when should you apply the splint?
Before rads!
In the distal limb which bone does not need a splint?
Coffin bone
Splint for the distal forelimb
Apply a single dorsal splint from the foot to the proximal cannon bone just below the carpus
Splint for the mid forelimb (distal 1/4 radius to mid MCIII)
2 splints will be placed at 90 degrees laterally and caudally to the limb from the elbow to the ground
Splint for the mid to proximal radius (distal 1/4 to prox radius)
Full limb Robert jones bandage with a lateral splint should be placed from the ground up the lateral aspect of the chest
How does a mid to proximal radius splint prevent open fracture?
The medial side of the limb has less soft tissue coverage so the splint is placed laterally to prevent abduction
Splint for proximal to elbow
No splint in most cases
Dropped elbow is the exception
What 3 things cause a dropped elbow? How would you splint it?
- Radial nerve injury
- Olecrannon fracture
- Humeral fracture
Splint full limb caudally with one splint to keep the limb straight
Splint proximal to stifle
None
How can you transport an adult horse with fractures more safely?
- Use a larger trailer
- Keep the partitions in so they can lean against the walls and bare weight if needed
- Place the fracture near the end of the trailer so it doesn’t bare weight at hard stops
DO NO USE A STOCK TRAILER
Splint Distal Hindlimb (distal 1/4 of MTIII to Coronary Band)
Similar to forelimb
Mid to proximal metatarsus (proximal 2/3 of the metatarsus)
thin compressed bandage with two sprints caudally and laterally from the ground to the tuber calcaneus
Splint Tarsus and Tibia
Similar to fracture of radius where there isn’t a lot of soft tissue coverage so we’re still concerned about abduction of the limb. The splint goes up to the gluteal region to prevent abduction.
Splint Proximal to Stifle
No splint
During anesthesia what phases is it more likely for the horse to make their fracture site worse?
Induction and recovery because they have less control over their bodies and may become dysphoric. Before induction make sure the limb is stabilized. During recovery you should try to prolong their recovery so they have proprioception, use pool recovery, or have pulls attached to the tail and head.
Goals for horses recovery after fracture surgery
- They need to be able to bear weight and walk after surgery unlike humans
- Must reconstruct the bone column
- Reconstruct joint surfaces
- Athletic prognosis
- Prognosis for life
After surgery bone takes __ to heal under ideal circumstances
4 months
Why do open wounds reduce the prognosis for athletics and survivial by as much as 50%?
Sepsis/infection is more common
List a few post op complications from fracture repair surgery
- contralateral laminitis
- contralateral soft tissue overload
- implant/repair instability
- implant failure
- colitis or pneumonia
After Tx repair surgery, how can we try to prevent laminitis?
Even the weight-bearing, provide sole support, rockered toe and cryotherapy (ice +water slurry or ice bag). Make sure you’re giving prevention to the other 3 feet!
Coffin bone splint
This can be surgically repaired with a lag screw but is difficult. Many of these are managed conservatively by stabilizing the hoof
A fractured pastern P2 typically results in ___ with a __ chance of being athletic again, especially if in the __limbs
Arthrodesis, good, hind
What are the goals for a 1st phalanx pattern fracture repair?
Anatomical reconstruct and stabilize P1 and preserve the fetlock + pastern joint anatomy and function
If fetlock breakdown occurs and arthrodesis is needed, will the horse be athletic?
NO, it’s guaranteed mechanical lameness
