Distal Forelimb Lameness Flashcards
Bones/joints in distal forelimb
Coffin bones
Pastern bone
Fetlock/ankle
Splint bones
Cannon bone/shin
Ringbone (high & low)
Treatment for p3 fractures
Types I II III IV
- immobilize hoof wall - shoes /cast
Types II III IV (IV = extensor fracture)
Surgical, screw or removal
Which type of fracture has a bad prognosis
Articular fractures due to weight bearing & high use
Features & fixes for p2 fractures
Caused by sudden stops / high compression
Sudden acute lameness
Common fix joint/fusion to help heal & prevent arthritis in pastern joint - athletic recover possible
External fixator to reduce pressure on joint - severe case
Commonalities in p1 fractures
Occurs on Sagittal plane (front to back)
Starts in fetlock joint
Complete or incomplete
Displacement is possible
Etiology and prognosis for p1 fractures
High speed /compression injury
Fetlock effusion
Good prognosis for non comminuted, incomplete, non displaced, complete w exits out lateral cortex
Fair - pastern joint involvement
Poor - no intact strut
MC3 fractures
Condylar fractures are common
High compression = bone remodeling
Lateral Condyle of forelimb is most common
- incomplete
- complete /nonsidplaces
- complete/displaced
Medial condyle !!! Potential long bone fracture & loss of majority of leg stability
- short, spiral, Y fracture
Why does medial condylar fractures carry such high risk
Potential to fracture entire long bone
If surgery is unsuccessful bone / joints will collapse
Condylar fractures
Internal fixation is ideal
Incomplete or non displaced lateral condyle fractures have good prognosis
Very poor prognosis w concurrent injuries like sesamoid or comminution of joint surface
Proximal sesamoid fractures
Common in racehorses, most articular, linked to suspensory ligament desmitis
Can remove arthroscopically
Dangers of bi axial fractures
Arthrodesis
Very low athletic potential
Both sesamoid bones fractured = complete loss of mobility /suspension from surrounding ligaments
Palmar metacarpal disease
Common in race horses due to stress induced bone remodeling
Condyles of cannon bone - career ending
Proximo - dorsal p1 fracture
Sport horses, common, joint effusion
Fetlock flexion, mild lameness, chronic bone chips can lead to osteoarthritis, decreased ROM and thickened joint capsule
Can remove chips arthroscopically
