Surgical Management of Metacarpal and Metatarsal Fractures-A Study of Five Bovines Tamilmahan P.*, Assistant Professor, Arunprasad A., Associate Professor and Head, Senthilkumar S., Associate Professor and Head, Vijayakumar M., Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Orathanadu-243122, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) *Corresponding author. E-mail: drtamilmahan.bison@gmail.com
Online published on 18 April, 2018. Abstract Five heifer calves presented with history of automobile accidents suffering fracture on distal limbs were selected for the study. Non weight bearing lameness of affected limb with open wound and protruding fractured fragments were noticed in all animals. Radiological examination confirmed short oblique fracture of metacarpal in two calves and metatarsal fractures in three animals. The metatarsal fracture in one animal was stabilized with PVC splint reinforced with plaster of paris (POP) cast with a window provision for wound dressing. The metacarpal fractures in two animal and metatarsal fractures in two animals were stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation. The animals, with fractures immobilized by external skeletal fixators, started to bear weight on its affected limb second post-operative day. The PVC and POP reinforcement treated animal showed non weight bearing lameness up to seven days followed by gradual weight bearing on the affected limb. It is concluded that application of type II external fixation for open fracture of distal limb fracture could result in effective immobilization and early ambulation. Top Keywords Compound fracture, epoxy, external skeletal fixation, long bone fracture. Top |