Management of a radial fracture in an adult bull

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 206; no. 12; p. 1917
• Main Authors: Trostle, S.S. (Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, VA.), Wilson, D.G, Hanson, P.D, Brown, C.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.06.1995
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Plates - veterinary; Bone Screws - veterinary; Bony Callus - diagnostic imaging; BOVIN LAITIER; BULLS; CASE STUDIES; Casts, Surgical - adverse effects; Casts, Surgical - veterinary; Cattle - injuries; Cattle - surgery; DAIRY CATTLE; ESTUDIOS DE CASOS PRACTICOS; ETUDE DE CAS; FRACTURAS; FRACTURE; Fracture Fixation, Internal - veterinary; FRACTURES; GANADO DE LECHE; HUESOS DE LOS MIEMBROS; Lameness, Animal - etiology; Lameness, Animal - therapy; LIMB BONES; Male; OS DES MEMBRES; Radiography; RADIUS; Radius Fractures - surgery; Radius Fractures - therapy; Radius Fractures - veterinary; Splints - veterinary; TAUREAU; TORO
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1995.206.12.1917

An 823-kg 4-year-old Holstein bull was examined because of acute lameness of the left forelimb. Radiography revealed a closed, comminuted, spiral fracture of the radius that extended from the distal portion of the diaphysis to the antebrachiocarpal joint. The fracture was repaired with combination of internal fixation (2 compression plates, 1 of which incorporated a condylar screw and both of which were luted) and external coaptation (full-limb cast and Thomas-Schroeder splint). The development of larger implants and the combination of internal and external fixation methods provides hope that certain fractures in cattle that were once thought irreparable can now be treated.