Clinical evaluation of the locking compression plate for fetlock arthrodesis in six thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: To report use of a locking compression plate (LCP) for fetlock arthrodesis in Thoroughbred racehorses after catastrophic disruption of the suspensory apparatus. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Racing Thoroughbreds (n=6) with a catastrophic breakdown injury of the suspensory apparatus. Methods: Medical records (2004-2006) of horses that had fetlock arthrodesis using an LCP were reviewed. Preoperative recorded variables were: age, gender, affected limb, injury type and occurrence, limb support used and time to surgery. Recorded surgical variables were: implants used and cost, surgery time, and anesthetic recovery method. Postoperative recorded variables included: treatment, physical status, complications, and outcome. Results: Of 6 Thoroughbred racehorses that had LCP arthrodesis, 4 were sound for breeding purposes the next year and 2 horses were euthanatized (1 at 16 days, 1 at 68 days) because of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ) luxation. No surgical complications were associated with implant application. Postoperative complications were similar to those reported for other arthrodesis techniques. Conclusions: LCP is a viable option for fetlock arthrodesis in Thoroughbred racehorses after catastrophic suspensory apparatus disruption. Conclusions: Adequate fetlock stability can be achieved with an LCP, and although the repair is likely more stable it is approximately 3 times more expensive than using a limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with cortical screws.
Publication Date: 2008-04-09 PubMed ID: 18394073DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00375.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article evaluates the use of a locking compression plate (LCP) for a procedure known as fetlock arthrodesis in Thoroughbred racehorses that have suffered severe breakdown injuries of the suspensory apparatus. The study concludes that LCP can indeed provide adequate stability for the affected joint, despite being relatively more expensive.
Methodology and Sample
- The study is a retrospective case analysis involving six Thoroughbred racehorses facing serious damage to the suspensory apparatus.
- The research team examined medical records from 2004 to 2006, focusing on horses that had undergone fetlock arthrodesis surgery with an LCP.
- Before the operation, factors such as the horse’s age, gender, which limb was hurt, the nature of the injury, and the amount of time leading up to the surgery were considered.
Surgery and Postoperative Follow-up
- The surgical factors accounted for were the types and cost of implants used, the duration of the operation, and the method used to recover the animals from anesthesia.
- Postoperative follow-up considered elements such as additional treatments given, the horse’s physical status, any complications faced, and the overall outcome.
Results and Conclusion
- The study found that four of the six horses that underwent an LCP procedure were stable enough for breeding purposes the following year. Unfortunately, two horses had to be euthanized due to luxation, or dislocation, at the proximal interphalangeal joint.
- The researchers did not find any surgical problems associated with the application of the implant.
- The researchers concluded that LCP could be a viable option for fetlock arthrodesis in Thoroughbred racehorses that have suffered severe injuries to the suspensory apparatus. Although the LCP repair treatment seems to provide greater stability, it is observed to be approximately three times more expensive than using a limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with cortical screws.
Cite This Article
APA
Carpenter RS, Galuppo LD, Simpson EL, Dowd JP.
(2008).
Clinical evaluation of the locking compression plate for fetlock arthrodesis in six thoroughbred racehorses.
Vet Surg, 37(3), 263-268.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00375.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthrodesis / instrumentation
- Arthrodesis / methods
- Arthrodesis / veterinary
- Bone Plates / veterinary
- Bone Screws / veterinary
- Female
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
- Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Male
- Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Tarsal Joints / injuries
- Tarsal Joints / surgery
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Orozco Lopez D, Garcia-Lopez JM, Carpenter R, Bras JJ, Richardson DW, Ortved KF. Treatment of traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus in Thoroughbred racehorses at risk of proximal interphalangeal joint subluxation using a locking compression-distal femur plate for double arthrodesis. Vet Surg 2025 Apr;54(3):439-452.
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