title: Management of tibial fractures using a circular external fixator in two calves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the repair of tibial diaphyseal fractures in 2 calves using a circular external skeletal fixator (CEF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossbred calves (n=2; age: 6 months; weight: 55 and 60 kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mid-diaphyseal tibial fractures were repaired by the use of a 4-ring CEF (made of aluminum rings with 2 mm K-wires) alone in 1 calf and in combination with hemicerclage wiring in 1 calf.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both calves had good weight bearing with moderate lameness postoperatively. Fracture healing occurred by day 60 in 1 calf and by day 30 in calf 2. The CEF was well maintained and tolerated by both calves through fracture healing. Joint mobility and limb usage improved gradually after CEF removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEF provided a stable fixation of tibial fractures and healing within 60 days and functional recovery within 90 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEF can be safely and successfully used for the management of selected tibial fractures in calves.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India. aithal@ivri.up.nic.in
authors.forename: Hari Prasad
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kinjavdekar
authors.lastname: Amarpal
authors.forename: Abhijit Motiram
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pawde
authors.forename: Gaj Raj
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Harish Chandra
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Setia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing