Internal fixation of a tibial fracture in an adult horse.

The research is about a successful surgical procedure to treat a complete tibial fracture in a three-year-old Thoroughbred mare, showing that a cranial approach with craniolateral and medial plate placement offered increased stability compared to earlier methods.

Introduction to the Problem

• The study revolves around a case of a 3-year-old Thoroughbred mare, which was initially presented with an incomplete fracture of the tibia, a bone in the hindlimb. This swiftly escalated to a complete diaphyseal fracture during the examination.

Method of Treatment

• The method used to treat this fracture was open reduction and internal fixation. This method involves a surgical procedure where the broken bone is set back into its correct place, then internal fixation is used to stabilize the bone using metal hardware such as pins, screws, and plates.
• In this case, lag screws and two neutralization plates were used to maintain the bone’s alignment and promote healing. A cranial approach was chosen for this procedure, meaning that the surgery was performed from the front side of the mare’s body.
• The two plates were strategically positioned, one craniolateral and one medial to the tibia. This refers to the front and side (craniolateral) and the middle (medial) areas of the horse’s tibia.

Post-surgical Outcome and Conclusions

• Eighteen months after the surgical procedure, the mare was examined again. The results were optimistic as there were no signs of complications resulting from the fracture or from the surgical repair.
• The ultimate conclusion derived from this study is that using a cranial approach with craniolateral and medial plate placement proved beneficial. It not only facilitated easier insertion of the plates but also offered a higher degree of stability compared to other techniques used in the past for similar cases.