title: Second carpal bone slab fracture and subluxation of the middle carpal joint in a horse subsequent to arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report complications of arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint using a drilling technique in an adult horse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horse (n = 1).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare with CMC osteoarthritis (CMC-OA) had arthrodesis under general anesthesia in right lateral recumbency. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a 4.5 mm drill bit was inserted at 3 drilling sites 5-6 cm into the CMC joint and was fanned 30-45° in the plane of the joint and 5-10° in the long axis of the limb to destroy articular cartilage and expose the subchondral bone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The horse presented 2 weeks after surgery for severe lameness of the operated limb. A slab fracture of the 2nd carpal bone (C2) and subluxation of the middle carpal (MC) joint was diagnosed. The horse was humanely euthanatized due to poor prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fanning technique of arthrodesis of the CMC joint may lead to fracture of carpal bones, joint instability, and MC joint subluxation. A balance between articular surface destruction and maintenance of joint stability should be achieved when using this technique.
authors.affiliation: Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Angela V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: MacKay
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panizzi
authors.forename: Holly D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.forename: Spencer M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000601:surgery; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000601:surgery; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*