Page 195 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

170 CHAPTER 1

VetBooks.ir 1.323 1.324

Fig. 1.323
An ulna fracture
in a mature
horse. The
horse will often
stand with its
elbow dropped
and the carpus
in a semi-flexed
position due Fig. 1.324 Mediolateral radiograph of the elbow
to pain and region of a horse showing a complete, comminuted
loss of the stay articular (type IV) olecranon fracture.
apparatus.
1.325 1.326

Figs. 1.325, 1.326 Mediolateral radiographs of
a complete, displaced articular proximal (type Ib)
olecranon fracture pre (1.325) and post repair (1.326).

Diagnosis the caudal aspect of the limb, from the olecranon to
Diagnosis is suspected from clinical examination, but the ground, to lock the carpus in extension. Non-
radiographic examination is required to determine surgical management is possible in non-displaced
fracture configuration (Fig. 1.324). Most information fractures of foals but in adults this is often asso-
can be gained from mediolateral images but a good ciated with delayed or non-union and a poor out-
craniocaudal view is important to check for commi- come. Since the olecranon is loaded by the triceps
nution and unusual fracture configurations such as insertion, the tension band principle is applicable
proximal radial articular fractures and/or luxation. and options for repair include wire, pins and plat-
ing. Plate fixation is more versatile and stronger, but
Management wire and pins can be successfully used in younger
Initial management is to stabilise the stay appara- animals where plating may compromise the proxi-
tus of the forelimb by the application of a splint to mal radial growth plate. A single plate placed on the