Repair and rehabilitation concept of a five-day-old radius fracture in a foal.

A three-month-old Trakehner fi lly was referred for a fi ve-day-old fracture of the left radius. On admission, the fi lly's left forelimb was in a full limb sleeve cast and nonweight bearing. Radiographic examination of the left radius revealed a complete transverse displaced diaphyseal fracture (Fig. 1A). Surgical fracture repair was requested by the owner. The fi lly received systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiphlogistic drugs (NSDs) and gastroprotective drugs. She was put in general anaesthesia and the left forelimb was put in extension with a hoist and fracture reduction was monitored with fl uoroscopy. The surgical approach was chosen between the extensor carpi radialis muscle and the common digital extensor muscle. Extensive hematoma and muscle trauma were found at the surgical site. After fracture-end repositioning a cortical bone defect (about 0.5 x 0.4cm) at the fracture site and at the dorsolateral aspect of the radius was visible. A 4.5 bDCP (10 holes) (Synthes GmbH, Umkirch, Germany) was contoured and applied as compression-plate on the cranial aspect of the radius (Fig. 1B). A second 4.5 bDCP (10 holes) was contoured and applied, in a slightly staggered fashion as neutralization plate on the lateral aspect of the radius (Fig. 1B). A cancellous bone graft was obtained from the left tuber coxae and was applied in the cortical bone defect. A Rédon drain was placed in the wound and wound closure was performed in a routine method. A full-limb sleeve cast was applied to the left forelimb in an extended position and the fi lly recovered from general anaesthesia without complications. The postoperative medication consisted of systemic broad spectrum antibiotics, NSDs and gastroprotectiv drugs. The drain was removed 5 days after surgery. The limb was immobilized with a sleeve-cast and a full limb Robert Jones bandage, respectively, with decreased diameter up Repair and rehabilitation concept of a fi ve-day-old radius fracture in a foal