Results of plate fixation of type 5 olecranon fractures in 20 horses.
BACKGROUND
Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion of type 5 fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical details and outcome of type 5 olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods.


METHODS
Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified as type 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow-up results (2-146 months post operatively) were recorded.


RESULTS
Treatment included open reduction and internal fixation using a narrow or broad dynamic compression plate (n = 20), conservative therapy (n = 7) and euthanasia (n = 5). Long-term follow-up was available in 15 cases treated surgically, of which 2 were sound and in training, 11 sound and performing athletically and 2 unsound. Distal semilunar notch involvement, comminution or open status did not appear to affect prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Internal plate fixation provides an excellent prognosis for an animal to be capable of athletic performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Describing tension band plate fixation and results offers a method of fracture repair that should improve treatment and prognosis for type 5 olecranon fractures.
Swor
T M
TM
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Watkins
J R
JR
Bahr
A
A
Epstein
K L
KL
Honnas
C M
CM
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*