Management of fractures near the carpal joint of two calves by transarticular fixation with a circular external fixator

A four-ring circular external skeletal fixation device was evaluated for transcarpal fixation of compound fractures in two calves. Case 1 was an eight-month-old female Holstein-Friesian x indigenous breed calf weighing 72 kg, which had a Salter-Harris type II fracture at the distal metaphysis of the right radius/ulna with an open contaminated wound on the medial aspect of the carpus. Case 2 was an 18-month-old crossbred Haryana heifer weighing 105 kg, which had a comminuted fracture at the proximal end of its left metacarpus with severe soft tissue trauma and an open wound on the medial aspect. In both cases, the fractures were repaired with four-ring circular fixators by fixing the proximal two rings in the distal radius/ulna and the distal two rings in the metacarpus. Postoperatively, both calves were treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic, and the pin-bone interfaces and the open wound were cleaned regularly with povidone-iodine solution. In both animals weight bearing was good to excellent in the immediate postoperative period. The fixator was well maintained and tolerated by the animals until the fractures healed after 45 to 60 days. The movement of the carpal joint was slightly affected when the fixator was removed on day 60, but a follow-up examination after one year showed that both calves had normal functional usage of the limbs.

The use of a circular external skeletal fixation device for the management of long bone osteotomies in large ruminants: an experimental study

The study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of a simple, inexpensive model of circular external fixator (CEF) for use in large ruminants. A simple model of CEF frames consisting of four full rings (13-19 cm diameter, 4 cm wide and 4 mm thick with 18-24 holes) connected by threaded rods (8 mm diameter, 10-15 cm long) and nuts was developed using mild (low carbon) steel and were nickel-plated. In the first phase of the study, three male cow calves were utilized to study the feasibility of application of the fixators in the metatarsus, tibia and radius, in reference of adaptation and tolerance by animals. In the second phase, the fixators were tested in osteotomized bones. Six bull calves of 1.5-2 years of age weighing about 200-250 kg were utilized for this purpose. After preparing the area for aseptic surgery, under xylazine (at 0.1 mg/kg, i.m.)-ketamine (i.v. till effect) general anaesthesia, the test bone (metatarsus, radius and tibia in two animals each) was approached through the medial surface and an osteotomy was created with a saw and chisel at the mid-diaphysis. The pre-constructed 4-ring CEF was mounted on the limb around the test bone in such a way that it formed a cylinder with the axis of the limb at the centre. Each ring was then fixed to the bone with a pair of beaded wires (316 SS) of 3.5 mm diameter. During the post-operative period, the animals were observed for any change in behaviour, tolerance of the fixators, the weight bearing on the test limb, the status of the fixator, and the level of reduction of the osteotomy, alignment and healing at different intervals. The fixation of CEF was easier in the metatarsus and radius than in the tibia. The inner ring diameters found adequate for metatarsus, radius and tibia were 13-15 cm, 15-17 cm and 17-19 cm, respectively. The fixators applied to different bones were well-tolerated, and the animals could lay down, stand and walk freely with the fixator without any problems. All the animals showed good weight bearing in the immediate post-operative period. Weight bearing, however, slightly reduced in the inflammatory period and showed improvement after about 4 weeks. Wire tract infection was seen in all the animals, which was more on proximal wire tracts on lateral aspect of limbs. Circular fixators were well-tolerated by all the animals, and there was no breaking/bending of connecting rods, slotted bolts or the rings at any stage of observation. Slight bowing of some wires was noticed in cases of tibia and radius (in phase II) and bending of some wires was noticed from first week in two animals one each in radius and tibia. Bone fragments were well maintained until healing occurred (appearance of bridging periosteal callus) at 60-70 days. The functional results were good in all but one case of tibia, where a mal-union was recorded. From this study, it can be concluded that CEF are well-tolerated by large ruminants and can be used to treat long bone fractures. The fixator assembly using mild steel is sufficiently strong to maintain fracture fixation and is inexpensive. The simple design of the CEF appears to be sufficient to treat simple diaphyseal fractures of the metatarsus and radius. Improvement in the technique of fixation and design-like coupling of linear and circular fixator components into hybrid constructs may help to provide greater rigidity in treating tibial and open long bone fractures.

Fractures secondary to nutritional bone disease in dogs: a review of 38 cases

The pattern of bone fractures secondary to nutritional bone disease in 38 dogs was analysed using a radiographic survey. The majority of fractures were either caused by a fall (28.95%) or showed no history of direct trauma (31.58%). Mongrels were more commonly affected by pathological fractures, followed by Dobermanns and German Shepherds. Significantly more (P < 0.05) fractures were found in dogs aged less than 6 months (64.71%). The incidence of such fractures was significantly higher in males than in females (M:F = 2.70:1.00). General radiological signs included a generalized decrease in cortical density, thinning of cortices and widening of metaphyses/epiphyses in most of the animals. Fractures were found significantly more frequently (P < 0.01) in the femur (81.58%) than in any other bone. Of the different types of fracture, complete oblique and incomplete fractures were most common.