Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stabilization of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a filly by use of cancellous bone screws.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Smyth, G B & Taylor, E G
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-month-old filly had a specific type of fracture in her right thigh bone, which was treated by placing three screws to hold the bone together. After 11 months, the screws were taken out because the filly was limping on that leg. Although the surgical wounds did not heal perfectly, the filly was able to run and play normally seven years later without any problems. This case shows that fixing this kind of fracture early can lead to a good recovery in young horses.
Abstract
A Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal portion of the right femur in a 2-month-old filly was reduced and stabilized with three 6.5-mm-diameter, 100-mm-long cancellous bone screws through a dorsal approach to the right coxofemoral joint. The screws were removed after 11 months because the filly became lame in the affected limb. The surgical wounds dehisced despite preventive measures, most likely because of tightness of skin in the coxal region. Seven years after the original injury, the horse could perform vigorous paddock exercise without any disability. Early internal fixation of proximal femoral physeal fractures in foals can provide a good long-term prognosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1399801/