Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Compression bone plating of a medial condylar fracture of the third metatarsal bone in a Thoroughbred filly.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Bowman, K F et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly had a fracture in her third metatarsal bone, which is part of her leg. The fracture was successfully repaired using a method called compression bone plating. After her treatment, the area around the fracture showed some thickening, but it was noted that this might limit her ability to race in the future, and she was not recommended to return to training. While this method can be useful for similar injuries, it should not replace other treatments like rest or different types of surgical fixation, especially in horses that might race again. Overall, the treatment worked, but the filly's future as a racehorse is uncertain.
Abstract
A medial condylar fracture of the third metatarsal bone in a 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly was repaired successfully by use of compression bone plating. At discharge from the hospital, thickening of the metatarsus was evident, and proliferative changes were associated with the site of bone plate application. It was expected that these changes would limit the filly's use as a racehorse, and a return to training was not recommended. Especially in horses that may return to racing, use of compression bone plating initially should not replace stall rest or lag screw fixation treatment of this type of injury. However, the use of a similar approach in selected cases of medial condylar fracture of the third metatarsal bone is encouraged, especially when additional fissure lines are evident on radiographs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3558070/