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Fractures of the ElbowOwn Your Copy Today

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Fracture, elbow, horse

Fracture, elbow, horse
Fractures of the elbow are not uncommon orthopedic injuries in horses, the most frequent being fracture of the ulna. They occur at any age as a result of a kick or fall. In foals (<12 mo old), they involve the physeal plate of the olecranon. Onset of lameness is sudden, and there is pain and swelling of the elbow. The fracture is usually transverse, extending through the semilunar notch, and is frequently articular. The olecranon is distracted by the pull of the triceps tendon of insertion; the elbow is dropped and cannot be extended, which produces signs similar to those of radial nerve paralysis. The carpus and fetlock are flexed, with the toe resting on the ground. Diagnosis must be confirmed radiographically.
Treatment may be conservative or surgical. In nonarticular and nondisplaced fractures, full-leg splinting and stall rest are successful. Otherwise, open reduction and internal fixation using a tension band plate is the method of choice. The prognosis is favorable with proper treatment.

See Also
Introduction
The Lameness Examination
Overview
Imaging Techniques
Overview
Anatomic Imaging Techniques
Physiologic Imaging Techniques
Arthroscopy
Regional Analgesia
Disorders of the Foot
Bone Cyst in Pedal Bone
Bruised Sole and Corns
Canker
Contracted Heels
Fracture of Navicular Bone
Fracture of Pedal Bone
Keratoma
Laminitis
Navicular Disease
Pedal Osteitis
Puncture Wounds of the Foot
Pyramidal Disease
Quittor
Sandcrack
Scratches
Seedy Toe
Sheared Heels
Sidebone
Thrush
Disorders of the Fetlock and Pastern
Fracture of Phalanges and Proximal Sesamoids
Osselets
Ringbone
Sesamoiditis
Villonodular Synovitis
Windgalls
Disorders of the Carpus and Metacarpus
Overview
Bucked Shins
Degenerative Subchondral Lesions of the Carpal Bones
Desmitis or Sprain of the Inferior Check Ligament
Fracture of the Carpal Bones
Intra-articular Osteochondral Chip Fragments of the Carpus
Carpal Slab Fractures
Accessory Carpal Bone Fractures
Fractures of the Small Metacarpal and Metatarsal (Splint) Bones
Fracture of the Third Metacarpal (Cannon) Bone
Hygroma
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondroma of the Distal Radius (Supracarpal Exostosis)
Rupture of the Common Digital Extensor Tendon
Splints
Subchondral Cysts and Septic Arthritis
Suspensory Desmitis
Synovial Hernia and Ganglion and Synovial Fistulae
Tearing of the Medial Palmar Intercarpal Ligament
Tenosynovitis of the Tendon Sheaths Associated with the Carpus
Traumatic Synovitis and Capsulitis
Disorders of the Shoulder and Elbow
Arthritis of the Shoulder Joint
Bicipital Bursitis
Fractures of the Shoulder
Sweeney
Disorders of the Tarsus
Overview
Bog Spavin
Bone Spavin
Curb
Displacement of Superficial Flexor Tendon from the Point of the Hock
Fracture of the TArsus
Hindlimb Tendon Ruptures
Rupture of the Peroneus Tertius Muscle
Stringhalt
Thoroughpin
Disorders of the Stifle
Fracture of the Stifle
Gonitis
Patellar Luxation
Subchondral Bone Cyst
Disorders of the Hip
Coxitis
Dislocation of the Hip
Pelvic Fracture
Trochanteric Bursitis
Disorders of the Back
Fractures
Muscle and Ligament Strain
Ossifying Spondylosis
Overriding of the Dorsal Spinous Processes
Sacroiliac Injury
Developmental Orthopedic Disease
Overview
Osteochondrosis
Physitis
Flexion Deformities