Third tarsal bone fractures in the greyhound.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the signalment, morphology, response to treatment and prognosis of third tarsal bone fractures in the racing greyhound.


METHODS
All third tarsal bone fractures seen by the author over a ten year period were included in the study. Diagnosis was by radiography. Treatments were reconstruction with a lag screw, fragment removal, centrodistal joint arthrodesis or conservative management.


RESULTS
Twenty-three cases were included in the study of which 16 cases were recent and seven cases chronic fractures. The chronic cases had been rested from between three and six months before an examination for recurrent lameness. There were five concomitant second tarsal bone fractures. Partial dorsal collapse was present in four cases. Thirteen dogs had lag screw fixation; three were lost to follow-up, seven returned to racing and three, all with partial tarsal collapse, failed to return to racing. Two dogs that had a centrodistal joint arthrodesis and one dog treated by rest alone raced again. Two dogs that had fragment removal failed to return to racing.


CONCLUSIONS
Veterinary examination of greyhounds with third tarsal bone fractures is often not sought at the time of the initial injury due to the benign presenting signs. Recurrence of lameness after rest is common. The prognosis for a successful return to racing would appear to be good following fragment fixation in both acute and chronic cases without dorsal tarsal collapse. Centrodistal joint arthrodesis may encourage bone union. The prognosis for conconservatively treated cases is guarded. Fragment removal is not recommended as a treatment.
Nantwich Vet Group - Nantwich Vet Hospital, Crewe Road, Crewe Cheshire CW5 5SF.
M J
MJ
Guilliard
D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome