Treatment of a chronic comminuted fracture of the fibula in a horse

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Feb 1;212(3):396-8.

Abstract

A four-year-old Standardbred gelding was examined because of vague right hind limb lameness of 3 to 4 months' duration. Results of physical examination, radiography, and scintigraphy were indicative of a chronic comminuted fracture of the proximal portion of the right fibula. A cancellous bone graft was placed in the fracture site, and 3 months later, the fracture appeared to be healed radiographically. Fractures of the fibula are rare in horses and should not be confused with normal anatomic discontinuities that result in a bi- or tripartite appearance of the fibula on radiographs. Because the fibula is a non-weight-bearing bone in horses, lameness associated with fibular fractures may be vague.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Transplantation / veterinary*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Fibula / diagnostic imaging
  • Fibula / injuries*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary*
  • Horses / injuries*
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Transplantation, Autologous / veterinary