Page 221 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

196 CHAPTER 1

VetBooks.ir 1.375 1.376

1.377 Figs. 1.375, 1.376 fully prevent the horse from lying down, some
Gamma scintigraphy (1.375) authors recommend using a sling during the first
and plain radiograph (1.376) 10 days. Any displaced fracture, regardless of the
of a stress fracture at the degree of displacement, should be internally fix-
level of the distal third of the ated using bone plates and screws. This procedure
tibia in a racehorse. Note the is, however, only recommended for horses weigh-
increased sclerosis evident on ing <325 kg, and immediate humane destruc-
the radiograph (arrow). tion is recommended for heavier horses as the
prognosis in these cases is hopeless (Fig. 1.377).
Generally, the prognosis in adult horses is
unfavourable.
Proximal physeal fractures in foals can be man-
aged conservatively if minimal displacement is
present; however, displacement, evident by valgus
Fig. 1.377 A boiled-out deformity, usually occurs and internal fixation by
post-mortem specimen a variety of techniques should be recommended.
showing the cranial aspect These foals have an excellent prognosis for life and
of a comminuted mid-shaft fair for future soundness.
tibial fracture sustained
during recovery from
unrelated surgery. (Photo
courtesy Graham Munroe)