Equis ISSN 2398-2977

MC/MT 3: fracture

Contributor(s): Chris Whitton

Introduction

Cause: high energy fracture at high speed; external trauma.
Signs: non-weightbearing lameness Musculoskeletal: gait evaluation ; associated soft tissue trauma Musculoskeletal: physical examination - adult , often open fracture with palpable instability Musculoskeletal: manipulative tests .
Diagnosis: clinical examination; radiography Forelimb: radiography Hindlimb: radiography following stabilization in splint and bandage Musculoskeletal: fracture - first aid .
Treatment:
- Acute Musculoskeletal: fracture - first aid - sedate, protect fracture site - Robert Jones bandage Musculoskeletal: Robert Jones bandage and two rigid splints placed over lateral and caudal aspect of limb.
- Internal fixation with two dynamic compression plates Bone: internal fixation - plates .
- Full limb cast Musculoskeletal: external fixation - casts .
- Cast plus transfixation pinning.
Prognosis: poor in adult/heavy horses; good - guarded in foals and small horses.
See also:
- MC/MT 3: dorsal metacarpal disease MC / MT 3: dorsal metacarpal disease .
- MC/MT 3: fracture - condylar MC / MT 3: fracture - condylar .
- Musculoskeletal: fracture Musculoskeletal: fracture .
- Musculoskeletal: fracture - first aid Musculoskeletal: fracture - first aid .
- Bone: internal fixation - overview Bone: internal fixation - overview .

Pathogenesis

Etiology

Racing or high speed work injury.
External trauma - young horses, foals.

Pathophysiology

See Musculoskeletal: fracture Musculoskeletal: fracture .

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Tranquille C A, Parkin T D H & Murray R C (2012) Magnetic resonance imaging-detected adaptation and pathology in the distal condyles of the third metacarpus, associated with lateral condylar fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 44 (6), 699-706 PubMed.
Jacklin B D & Wright I M (2012) Frequency distributions of 174 fractures of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones in 167 Thoroughbred racehorses (1999-2009). Equine Vet J 44 (6), 707-713 PubMed.
Poulin Braim A E et al (2010) Computed tomography of proximal metatarsal and concurrent third tarsal bone fractures in a Thoroughbred racehorse. Equine Vet Educ 22 (6), 290-295. VetMedResource
Ramzan P H L (2009) Transverse stress fracture of the distal diaphysis of the third metacarpus in six Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 41 (6), 602-605 PubMed.
Bischofberger A S, Furst A, Auer J & Lischer C (2009) Surgical management of complete diaphyseal third metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures: Clinical outcome in 10 mature horses and 11 foals. Equine Vet J 41 (5), 465-473 PubMed.
Parkin T D H et al (2005) Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racing. Equine Vet J 37 (3), 192-199 PubMed.
Dallap B L, Bramlage L R & Embertson R M (1999) Results of screw fixation combined with cortical drilling for treatment of dorsal cortical stress fractures of the third metacarpal bone in 56 Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet Educ 31 (3), 252-257 PubMed.

Other sources of information

Schneider R K (1996) Fractures of the third metacarpus and metatarsus. In: Equine Fracture Repair.Ed. A J Nixon. W B Saunders, USA. ISBN 0-7216-6754-6.

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