Repair of a delayed-union stress fracture of the dorsal cortex of a metacarpal bone in a horse.

The study explores the effectiveness of using lag-screw fixation and direct current (DC) electrical stimulation in repairing a delayed union stress fracture in a horse’s metacarpal bone. The treatment resulted in a healing pattern similar to that observed in human beings with delayed union fractures treated with electrical stimulation.

Objective of Research

• The primary objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of lag-screw fixation in conjunction with DC electrical stimulation on treating delayed union stress fracture in metacarpal bone of a horse.
• Another goal of the research was to study if the healing pattern in horses with this treatment would mimic that observed in human beings subjected to similar treatment for delayed union fractures.

Methodology

• A horse suffering from a delayed union stress fracture on a metacarpal bone was subjected to the treatment outlined in this research – the utilization of lag-screw fixation supplemented with DC electrical stimulation.
• Post the surgical treatment, radiographic and scintigraphic evaluations occurred. Observations were made on the visibility of the fracture line and the amount of radiopharmaceutic uptake compared to the results derived from previous bone imaging studies.

Results and Conclusion

• Twelve weeks following the procedure, the evaluations revealed that the fracture line was no longer discernible.
• Moreover, there was a decrease in radiopharmaceutical uptake, indicating successful healing, when compared to preceding bone imaging studies.
• Thus, in the specific case of the horse studied, the utilization of DC stimulation in treating a delayed union stress fracture resulted in a successful healing pattern. This was observed to be similar to the healing pattern seen in human beings when treated with electrical stimulation for delayed union fractures.
• Therefore, the study successfully demonstrated the potential of the combination of lag-screw fixation and DC electrical stimulation as an effective treatment strategy for delayed union fractures in horses and potentially in other similar large animals.