Diaphyseal fractures of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones – an update

Complete fractures of the diaphysis of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones occur in all types of horses. They account for approximately one-third of all long bone fractures in the horse. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) involving anatomical reconstruction of the bone with two plates at 90 degrees currently represents the most common treatment method. In a report of 21 animals (10 mature horses and 11 foals), bone healing was achieved in 62% (three mature horses, 30% and ten foals, 90%) [1]. The main fracture types were simple transverse (33.3%) or simple oblique (28.6%), and 71.4% of the fractures were open. The preoperative assessment revealed inadequate emergency treatment in ten horses (five mature and five foals; 47.6%). Survival rate of horses with open fractures was 12.5% (1/8) in mature and 85.7% (6/7) in foals ...