Surgical treatment of an unusual fracture of the first phalanx of a horse.

The research article reports on a surgical treatment for an unusual type of fracture in the first phalanx of a horse. The horse was unable to bear weight on the affected leg which led to the surgical intervention, producing successful rehabilitation.

Case Presentation

• The horse, a Thoroughbred colt undergoing full training pulled up acutely lame during a training run on a dirt track. There was no clear cause identified for the injury.
• The horse exhibited an unwillingness to bear weight on its leg, only touching its toe to the ground when forced. The fetlock (ankle) soon swelled, causing significant pain.
• The trainer initially treated the animal for a sprain using ice packs and bandages. After 72 hours without improvement, a veterinary advice was sought.

Examination and Diagnosis

• A physical examination showed the horse to be in obvious pain and unable to bear weight on its leg. The fetlock and pastern areas were swollen, causing pain when touched, leading to the suspicion of a fracture.
• Radiographs from different angles exposed a lateral longitudinal and slightly oblique incomplete fracture of the first phalanx. This fracture extended from the metatarsophalangeal joint to the distal third of the phalanx, disrupting the integrity of the proximal articular surface of the bone.

Treatment Decision

• Considering the incomplete fracture, the veterinary team concluded that perfect realignment of the fractured fragments could be achieved through inter-fragmentary compression—a surgical procedure that aims to bring the bone fragments together for quick healing.
• Given the severity and nature of the injury, the veterinarians advised surgery as the treatment strategy. This decision was based on the idea that, by realigning the bone fragments, the recovery process could be more successful.