Locking compression plates for pancarpal arthrodesis in a Thoroughbred filly.

This research presents a case study about a Thoroughbred filly who suffered an ulnar carpal bone fracture and carpal instability. The condition was treated by pancarpal arthrodesis using two locking compression plates (LCP). The treatment resulted in the horse’s ability to move in a pasture six months after surgery, with minimal lameness.

Methodology

The research focuses on treating a 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly. The filly was found to have an ulnar carpal (UC) fracture and luxation of the proximal row of carpal bones, which was diagnosed radiographically. The treatment procedure was:

• Pancarpal arthrodesis was performed with two LCP.
• The LCP were placed in dorsolateral and dorsomedial positions and centered over the carpus through a single skin incision.
• The filly was put in a full limb cast for 15 days, then in a tube cast for 14 days, followed by a full limb bandage with a caudal splint for 21 days.

Results and Conclusions

The results highlighted the effectiveness of the treatment:

• The use of two LCP provided adequate stability to the carpal area, allowing the horse to be pasture sound – able to move freely in a field – six months after the surgery.
• The horse displayed signs of minimal lameness, suggesting that the treatment didn’t significantly affect the horse’s mobility. The filly was discharged from the hospital 63 days after surgery.

In conclusion, the researchers inferred that the use of two LCP applied on the dorsomedial and dorsolateral aspect of the carpus can provide carpal stability for pancarpal arthrodesis. The research confirms the efficacy of using two LCP in achieving excellent stability of the carpal joints in horses.