Long-term outcome of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone treated conservatively: 25 cases (1976–1993)

Abstract

Results suggest that enforced rest without surgical fixation can be an effective therapeutic option for horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone, even if athletic function is expected.

Computed tomographic features of lesions detected in horses with tarsal lameness

“…The CT images of the horse with the fracture of the central tarsal bone showed a single, subacute, complete fracture. Preoperative CT examination is valuable in these cases to rule out the presence of comminuted or concomitant fractures, which can be missed on a radiograph and make lag screw fixation more difficult . Although radiography did demonstrate comminution of the talus in one case, which results in a very poor prognosis, CT images showed additional fracture lines and more detail.…”

Successful outcome of a Standardbred filly after conservative treatment for a Salter–Harris typeIIIfracture of the distal femoral condyle

“…confinement to a box (time unspecified)] is indicated for horses with a type II or III fracture of the distal phalanx, and that the prognosis for return to soundness is good and is not improved by applying an immobilising shoe/cast to the foot or by internal fixation of the fractured bone (Rijkenhuizen et al . ).…”

“…Authors of a similar study investigating the outcome of racing Standardbreds with a slab fracture of a tarsal bone recommended confining the affected horse to a box for prolonged time (Murphey et al . ). Although the duration of confinement to a box was not specified, the mean total time of convalescence after diagnosis was 8 months.…”

“…In one study, horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone responded well to conservative treatment despite articular involvement, even when the fracture was comminuted (Murphey et al . ; Elce et al . ; Kearney et al .…”

Standing low‐field magnetic resonance imaging of a comminuted central tarsal bone fracture in a horse

“…Slab fractures of the central and third tarsal bones have been reported to occur more commonly than other fractures within the small tarsal bones (Murphey et al . ; Bolt et al . ; Kelmer et al .…”