title: Fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus in horses: 15 cases (1986-2004).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine clinical and radiographic abnormalities in and outcome of horses with fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus and to develop a radiographic technique for obtaining a cranioproximal-craniodistal oblique projection of the proximal portion of the humerus in standing horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  15 horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected from medical records included signalment, history, horse use, severity and duration of lameness, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All horses had a history of acute, unilateral lameness. Twelve of 15 had visual or palpable abnormalities in the shoulder region. In 6 of 8 horses, the fracture could be seen on a cranioproximal-craniodistal projection of the proximal portion of the humerus. In 2 horses, this was the only projection on which the fracture could be seen, and in an additional 2, this was the projection on which the fracture could be seen most reliably. Ten horses underwent surgery (fragment removal, 7; open reduction and internal fixation, 2; and exploration without fragment removal, 1), and 5 were treated with variable periods of stall rest and turnout. Eleven horses returned to athletic use, including 9 of the 10 treated surgically and 2 of the 5 treated without surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that horses with fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus can return to athletic soundness following treatment and emphasized the need for obtaining a cranioproximal-craniodistal radiographic projection of the proximal portion of the humerus in horses suspected to have an injury in this region.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA.
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mez
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dabareiner
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Jeffery P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012146:Rest; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome