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Repair of Femoral Capital Physeal Fractures in 12 Cattle
Author(s) -
Ivany Ewoldt Jennifer M.,
Hull Bruce L.,
Ayars William H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1053/jvet.2003.50002
Subject(s) - medicine , intramedullary rod , surgery , medical record , radiography , lag screw , retrospective cohort study , internal fixation
Objective— To document signalment, clinical signs, and long‐term outcome of surgical treatment for femoral capital physeal fractures in cattle. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Twelve cattle with femoral capital physeal fractures. Methods— Cases were identified by a search of radiographic records. Historical, diagnostic, surgical, and outcome data were collected from the medical records. Owners were contacted for follow‐up information by telephone. Results— Fractures were repaired by screws inserted in lag fashion in 4 animals and by use of multiple intramedullary pins in 8 animals. Six of 12 animals required repeat surgery to reposition screws or pins. Nine animals were considered successfully treated at discharge. Six months after surgery, 6 of 11 animals for which follow‐up was obtained were still sound. At 12 months, 4 of 4 animals alive were still sound. Animals that bore weight earliest postoperatively were more likely to have a successful outcome. Animals <12 months of age had better outcomes than animals >12 months of age. Conclusions— Prognosis for serviceable soundness is good in cattle <12 months of age and fair in animals >12 months of age after surgical repair of femoral capital physeal fracture by stacking intramedullary pins or by screws inserted in lag fashion. Clinical Relevance— Surgical repair of femoral capital physeal fracture is most successful in younger cattle and can result in productive animals.