Fractures of the lateral malleolus of the tibia in 16 horses.
Clinical and radiological features of 16 horses with fractures of the lateral malleolus of the tibia are reported. The paper describes surgical techniques used, results obtained and discusses justification for removal. Fourteen fractures were unilateral and two bilateral. There was no left:right disparity. The history included a known traumatic incident in 14 cases. All animals had a tarsocrural joint effusion and 10 had palpable thickening of the lateral collateral ligaments. Crepitus was also palpable in 10 horses. The fracture was identified in all dorsoplantar and 14 of 18 dorsomedial-plantarolateral oblique radiographic projections. Nine fractures were simple and 9 comminuted. All fractures were removed via a tarsocrural arthrotomy. Approaches were dorsolateral in 14 joints, plantarolateral in 3 and dorsolateral and plantarolateral in 1. After an ascending exercise programme horses returned to work 6 months after surgery: 15 horses were free of lameness after 17-62 months, with 13 animals performing at a level similar to pre-injury standard.
Wright
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Equine Clinical Unit, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome