Page 214 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Musculoskeletal system: 1.5 The hindlimb 189

VetBooks.ir therefore uncommon, usually of traumatic origin 1.360
and result in significant disruption of the sup-
porting structures. External trauma, rotation of
the hock and accidents involving trapping of the
distal limb in a fixed object are often described
in the history. Fractures of the central and third
tarsal bones are uncommon and are mainly seen
in racehorses, especially Standardbred trotters.
They are occasionally seen secondary to previ-
ous ankylosis of the small tarsal joints. An asso-
ciation has been identified between the presence Fig. 1.360
of wedge-shaped conformation of the third tarsal Dorsoplantar
bone and slab fractures of this bone in mature radiograph of the
racehorses. Fractures of the sustentaculum tali tarsus showing a
may be sequelae to external trauma and may be comminuted and
accompanied by sepsis of the tarsal sheath, which slightly distally
may lead to osteomyelitis. displaced fracture
of the lateral
Clinical presentation malleolus of the
Skin perforation may accompany external trauma. tibia. (Photo
Invariably, horses are lame on the affected limb. courtesy Graham
The degree of lameness, however, varies from mild Munroe)

1.361 1.362

Figs. 1.361, 1.362 Dorsoplantar (1.361) and plantaromedial/dorsolateral (1.362) oblique views of a
comminuted fracture of the talus sustained following a kick.