In vivo evaluation of intramedullary interlocking nail fixation of transverse femoral osteotomies in foals.
Abstract: To evaluate an intramedullary interlocking nail for stabilization of transverse femoral osteotomies in foals. Methods: A transverse osteotomy and restabilization with an intramedullary interlocking nail was performed on the right femur in three foals and the left femur in three foals. Methods: Six foals weighing 149 to 207 kg. Methods: The femur was destabilized with a transverse middiaphyseal osteotomy and repaired with a 0.5-in (12.7 mm) interlocking nail. The implanted femurs were radiographed monthly until completion of the study 6 months after surgery. At the completion of the study, all foals were observed for evidence of lameness, gluteal thickness was determined by ultrasonographic measurement, and a necropsy was performed. Results: Healing was satisfactory in all foals. Five of the six had osseous bridging of the osteotomy apparent radiographically by 3 to 4 months. The sixth foal had postoperative infection but was healed radiographically in 5 months. There was a mean decrease in gluteal muscle thickness of 6.6 mm (P = .04) in the operated limb of the five foals that healed without complication. Two foals were lame at the completion of the project; one foal with varus deformities of the contralateral limb was mechanically lame, and another was grade 2/5 lame on the operated limb. On necropsy, there was circumferential enlargement of the diaphysis of all operated limbs with the majority of the callus at the cranial and medial aspects of the cortex. All nails were solid within the medullary cavity. Conclusions: The intramedullary interlocking nail provided adequate stabilization for repair of the transverse osteotomy. Conclusions: Further investigation is warranted before use for stabilization of spontaneously occurring fracture configurations.
Publication Date: 1998-02-04 PubMed ID: 9449175DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1998.tb00094.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the effectiveness of an intramedullary interlocking nail in stabilizing transverse femoral osteotomies in foals, showing promising results but suggesting further inquiry before using the technique for spontaneous fractures.
Research Methodology
- The study involved six foals, each weighing between 149 to 207 kg. The right femur of three foals and the left femur of the other three were destabilized using a transverse middiaphyseal osteotomy, a surgical operation involving a cut across the middle of the femur. The destabilized femurs were then repaired with a 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) intramedullary interlocking nail.
- After the surgery, the implanted femurs were subjected to radiographic examinations every month for a duration of six months.
- At the end of the study period, all the foals underwent ultrasonographic measurements for gluteal thickness and a necropsy procedure to examine the implanted nails. Additionally, signs of lameness were looked for in the foals.
Results of the Study
- The results indicated that healing was satisfactory in all of the foals. Five out of the six foals exhibited radiographically apparent osseous bridging of the osteotomy within 3 to 4 months. The sixth foal experienced a postoperative infection, but still healed within 5 months.
- There was an average decrease in gluteal muscle thickness of 6.6 mm in the operated limbs of the five foals that healed without any complications.
- Two foals exhibited lameness at the completion of the study. One of these had varus deformities of the limb opposite the operated limb, leading to mechanical lameness. The other displayed a grade 2/5 lameness on the operated limb.
- The necropsy results showed circumferential enlargement of the diaphysis (shaft of a long bone) in all operated limbs, with the majority of the callus (thickened skin) forming on the cranial and medial aspects of the cortex. The intramedullary nails were solid within the medullary cavity.
Conclusions from the Study
- The study concluded that the intramedullary interlocking nail offered adequate stabilization for the repair of a transverse osteotomy in foals.
- However, the researchers suggest further investigation of this technique in treating spontaneously occurring fracture configurations owing to the mixed results of the study, particularly concerning the incidence of lameness and postoperative infection in some foals.
Cite This Article
APA
McClure SR, Watkins JP, Ashman RB.
(1998).
In vivo evaluation of intramedullary interlocking nail fixation of transverse femoral osteotomies in foals.
Vet Surg, 27(1), 29-36.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.1998.tb00094.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Femoral Fractures / physiopathology
- Femoral Fractures / surgery
- Femoral Fractures / veterinary
- Femur / diagnostic imaging
- Femur / surgery
- Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / veterinary
- Fracture Healing / physiology
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / physiology
- Horses / surgery
- Incidence
- Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
- Osteotomy / methods
- Osteotomy / veterinary
- Radiography
- Random Allocation
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Lang JJ, Li X, Micheler CM, Wilhelm NJ, Seidl F, Schwaiger BJ, Barnewitz D, von Eisenhart-Rothe R, Grosse CU, Burgkart R. Numerical evaluation of internal femur osteosynthesis based on a biomechanical model of the loading in the proximal equine hindlimb. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 10;20(1):188.
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