Large Animals Fracture Repair

Figure 11: Old fracture of the navicular bone in a four-old standard bred filly.

Figure 13: Fracture of the fourth metatarsal bone. This fracture of the "splint" bone in a horse is of some duration, as indicated by the callus formation (arrow) attempting to bridge the fracture sites. (The radiolucency in the mid-portion of the third metatarsal bone is due to the nutrient foramen.

Figure 14a, b:Fracture of a proximal sesamoid bone in a horse (arrows).

Figure 15a, b: Double fracture of the lateral proximal sesamoid bone. While single fractures of sesamoid bones are usually viewed, a double fracture is unusual. Associated with this condition is extensive new bone proliferation and possible calcification of the extensor tendon and joint capsule at their attachment at the proximal end of the first phalanx.

Figure 16a,b: Fractures of the third phalanx. A, Fracture through the entire bone. B, Comminuted fracture.

Figure 17a, b: Fractures of the third phalanx. A, Fracture of the angle with associated ossification of the lateral cartilages (sidebones). B, Fracture is visible on an oblique view of the third phalanx.

Figure 18: Fracture of the extensor process of the third phalanx (arrow). This fracture connot be seen on the anteroposterior view.

Figure 19a, b: Old nonunion fracture of the distal end of the first phalanx (arrows). A, Conventional lateral and anteroposterior radiographs suggest the fracture but do not clearly outline it. B, Fracture is well outlined on the anterolateral oblique view. A nonunion fracture is evident by its smooth, rounded edges with no callus formation.

Figure 20a, b: Nonunion fracture. A longitudinal fracture of the distal metacarpal bone failed to heal due to superimposed infection. A, The fracture is clear on this study made immediately after injury. B, The postreduction study shows the fragment in perfect apposition, with a single metallic screw transfixing the fracture line. C and D, The fracture line becomes radiolucent, the bone fragment breaks into smaller pieces, and the fracture linewidens as osteomyelitis becomes more evident. Note the progressive collapse of the joint space due to the infection arthiritis.

Figure 21a, b: Nonunion fracture. A longitudinal fracture of the distal metacarpal bone failed to heal due to superimposed infection. A, The fracture is clear on this study made immediately after injury. B, The postreduction study shows the fragment in perfect apposition, with a single metallic screw transfixing the fracture line. C and D, The fracture line becomes radiolucent, the bone fragment breaks into smaller pieces, and the fracture linewidens as osteomyelitis becomes more evident. Note the progressive collapse of the joint space due to the infection arthiritis.

Figure 22: Old nonunion fracture of the distal end of the second metacarpal (splint) bone in a horse.

Dislocation

The usual radiographic signs of a dislocation is an abnormal width of an interarticular space. This is indicative of a ruptured ligament. Occasionally, there will be an overriding due to dislocation.

Figure 23a, b: Dislocation of the fetlock joint. A small fracture is seen on the lateral view proximally to the sesamoid bones. This study was made shortly after the accident. The complete extent of the damage to the supporting structures of the fetlock joint will be visible several weeks later.

Figure 24a, b: Normal fibulas showing epiphyseal lines (arrows).