Page 171 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

146 CHAPTER 1

VetBooks.ir 1.266 1.267

Fig. 1.266 A complete displaced
mid-diaphyseal fracture pre
internal fixation.

Fig. 1.267 An incomplete,
non-displaced, articular proximal
fracture.

1.268

Fig. 1.268 This Thoroughbred racehorse was
involved in a road traffic accident and sustained
an open comminuted fracture of the distal third
metatarsus. It was euthanased immediately.
(Photo courtesy Graham Munroe)

Salter-Harris type II. Proximal articular fractures fetlock prior to fracture. Complete diaphyseal frac-
involving the articulation between the third metacar- tures show severe lameness and often bone fragments
pus/metatarsus and carpometacarpal/tarsometatarsal are displaced and overridden with the presence of a
joint occur following an acute single overload injury wound (Fig. 1.268). Horses with incomplete diaphy-
(Fig. 1.267). seal, transverse or proximal articular fractures will
be acutely lame, but the lameness may resolve quickly
Clinical presentation with rest. Clinical examination may reveal focal soft-
Horses with condylar fractures are usually lame, have tissue swelling and pain but occasionally there are
a fetlock effusion and/or pain localising to the distal few localising signs present. Foals with distal diaphy-
metacarpus/metatarsus or fetlock region. Horses may seal fractures usually have overt lameness and insta-
have had a previous history of lameness involving the bility associated with the fracture.