Minimally invasive repair of a calcaneus fracture in a Standardbred foal.
METHODS
A 4-month-old Standardbred colt was examined because of a fractured right calcaneus of 8 days' duration with increased distraction of the fracture fragment evident on sequential radiographs.


RESULTS
The foal was severely lame with diffuse periarticular tarsal swelling. Radiographically, a complete, displaced long oblique fracture of the right calcaneal body was evident. Because the fracture gap was increasing with time and lameness remained severe, despite medical management, surgical repair was recommended.


RESULTS
The foal was anesthetized, and minimally invasive fracture reduction and internal fixation were achieved by use of two 4.5-mm cortical screws placed in lag fashion via stab incisions over the lateral aspect of the calcaneus. External coaptation with a Robert-Jones bandage only was used after surgery. The foal recovered well and the fracture healed appropriately, but at 8 weeks following surgery, tenosynovitis of the tarsal sheath had developed. This was attributed to the tip of the distal screw encroaching on the sheath. The screw was removed under anesthesia and the tarsal sheath drained. The tenosynovitis resolved with rest and bandaging. Fourteen months after surgery, the colt was free of lameness.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggested that a minimally invasive internal fixation technique for treatment of a calcaneus fracture in horses may be successful and may be associated with decreased morbidity, compared with the use of open reduction and plate fixation.
Milton Equine Hospital, 10207 Guelph Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0, Canada.
Alvaro G
AG
Bonilla
Katie J
KJ
Smith
D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary