Premium
Treatment of subchondral lucencies in the medial proximal radius with a bone screw in 8 horses
Author(s) -
Roquet Imma,
Lane Easter J.,
Coomer Richard P. C.,
Ezquerra Luis J.,
Marsh Chad A.,
Trostle Steve S.,
Santschi Elizabeth M.
Publication year - 2017
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 - 10.1111/vsu.12643
Subject(s) - lameness , medicine , horse , lag screw , radiography , elbow , surgery , internal fixation , paleontology , biology
Objective To describe the results of screw placement through subchondral lucencies (SCL) of the proximal radius in 8 horses. Study design Retrospective clinical study. Animals Horses with cubital SCL causing lameness (n=8). Methods Medical record review and clinical follow‐up. Results Eight horses with SCL in the proximal radius causing lameness were treated with a screw placed across the lucency. The horses range in age from 1 to 20 years. In 4 of 8 horses, the lameness had been intermittently severe (apparent at the walk). Lameness was isolated to the cubital joint by intra‐articular anesthesia in 5 horses and diagnosed radiographically in all 8. All horses had a 4.5 mm cortical bone screw placed from medial to lateral (6 lag, 2 neutral) across the SCL using fluoroscopic or radiographic control. Postoperative care included stall confinement with hand walking for 30‐60 days, followed by an additional 30‐60 days of pasture turnout. Radiographic SCL healing (reduction in SCL size) was demonstrated at 3‐4 months after surgery in all horses, and 7/8 horses (87.5%) were used as intended (4 performance, 3 pasture turn‐out) within 6 months. Lameness in the remaining horse improved initially (dressage) but returned. Conclusions A screw placed through the SCL of the proximal‐medial radius was effective in reducing or resolving lameness associated with the elbow joint in 7/8 horses (88%). Screw placement in the proximal radius should be considered for horses with lameness caused by an SCL when a quick return to exercise is desired or conservative therapy is ineffective.