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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(03): 239-245
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-05-0079
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Salter-Harris type II metacarpal and metatarsal fracture in three foals

Treatment by minimally-invasive lag screw osteosynthesis combined with external coaptation
Micaël D. Klopfenstein Bregger
1   Equine Department, Clinic for Equine Surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
4   Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern and Agroscope Avenches, Switzerland
,
Anton E. Fürst
1   Equine Department, Clinic for Equine Surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Patrick R. Kircher
2   Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Katharina Kluge
3   Equine Department, Section of Anaesthesiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Martin Kummer
1   Equine Department, Clinic for Equine Surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 05 May 2015

Accepted: 09 March 2015

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: To describe minimally-invasive lag screw osteosynthesis combined with external coaptation for the treatment of Salter-Harris type II third metacarpal and third metatarsal bone fractures.

Methods: Three foals aged two weeks to four months with a Salter-Harris type II third metacarpal or third metatarsal fracture. Surgery was carried out under general anaesthesia in lateral recumbency. After fracture reduction, the metaphyseal fragment was stabilized with two cortical screws placed in lag fashion under fluoroscopic control. A cast was applied for at least two weeks.

Results: All foals had a good outcome with complete fracture healing and return to complete soundness without any angular limb deformity. All foals had moderate transient digital hyperextension after cast removal.

Clinical significance: Internal fixation of Salter-Harris type II third metacarpal or third metatarsal fractures with two cortical screws in lag fashion, combined with external coaptation provided good stabilization and preserved the longitudinal growth potential of the injured physis.

Keywords

Foal - Salter-Harris type II fracture - third metacarpal bone - third metatarsal bone - mini -mally-invasive osteosynthesis
 

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