Behandlung von Frakturen der langen Röhrenknochen bei 125 neugeborenen Kälbern*

Clinical and radiological evaluation of metacarpal fractures in calves: A retrospective study: 72 cases

Metacarpal fractures are frequently encountered in calves especially due to dystocia. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate metacarpus fractures in calves from many aspects especially the causes of the fracture, the location and classification of the fracture and to determine the most appropriate treatment option. 72 calves diagnosed with metacarpus fracture, aged between 1 and 15 days, regardless of gender and breed, were included in the study. Calves were classified according to fracture types and treatment method. In the treatment, external fixation with Steinman pins, polyvinylchloride-fiberglass plaster supported closed or windowed bandage methods were preferred. According to the radiological examination findings, it was determined that the fractures were distal diaphyseal in 40 (55%) cases, epiphyseal in 20 (27%) cases, and middle diaphyseal in 12 (18%) cases. It was learned that 46 of 51 cases with closed fractures and bandages healed without any problem, and 5 cases died due to comorbidities (calf diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia). 5 out of 7 patients which had external fixation using Steinmann pins had an recovery without complication, meanwhile 2 patients died due to infection. Full recovery was observed in 12 of 14 patients who underwent window bandage, meanwhile it was learned that 2 patients died due to secondary infection. As a result, subtantial data that will contribute to clinical practice and literature knowledge in the causes, location, classification, and treatment of metacarpal fractures, which are frequently encountered in calves and cause loss in terms of both economic and productivity, have been revealed.

[Treatment of a femoral capital physeal fracture using an Ehmer-sling in a 4-week-old Simmental calf]

A 4-week-old, female Simmental calf was referred due to severe, non-weightbearing lameness (grade 5/5) of sudden onset in the right hind limb that had been present for 3 days. Clinical examination revealed a painful swelling in the right coxofemoral joint region, but characteristic signs of a fracture, such as crepitus, deviation in the bone axis and increased mobility of the implicated bone, were not observed. Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination using a 7.5 MHz linear probe revealed a characteristic interruption of the physiologic bone contour, with a slight step formation and increased mobility in the area of the femoral capital physis (growth plate). Radiography showed a Salter-Harris type 2 fracture of the femoral capital physis. Due to a fracture displacement of merely 2 mm, conservative treatment was instigated by means of a modified Ehmer-sling which was applied for 28 days. The sling was changed twice within this period. The calf coped well with the sling and was fully ambulatory. This conservative treatment resulted in complete healing of the femoral capital physeal fracture, and the higher costs for surgical treatment and its potentially associated risks were avoided. Ten weeks following treatment initiation the calf was weight-bearing on the affected limb and showed no signs of lameness.

Influence of transfixation pinning and casting (TPC) configurations on treatment outcomes in bovine tibial fracture

The aim of this study was to examine the treatment outcomes of tibial fracture using different configurations of transfixation pinning and casting (TPC) in eight cattle. After pins were inserted to stabilize the fracture site, cast material was placed from the level of the stifle to the hoof (full TPC) in six cases and from the stifle to the proximal metatarsus (partial TPC) in two cases. Five cattle (three full TPC and two partial TPC cases) underwent TPC removal 36–86 days after surgery and resumed productivity. The other three cattle which underwent full TPC suffered from irreversible orthopedic complications within 5 weeks of surgery, while a prolonged healing process was observed in the partial TPC cases. Although TPC is an effective method for treating bovine tibial fracture, full TPC may result in a guarded prognosis in some cattle. However, partial TPC can delay healing. Surgeons should choose the optimal TPC configuration while considering the various factors that affect the healing process.

Frakturen von Gliedmaßenknochen bei 32 kleinen Wiederkäuern – Methoden und Ergebnisse der Behandlung

Gegenstand: Retrospektive Auswertung der Daten 32 kleiner Wiederkäuer, die zwischen 2001 und 2014 wegen Gliedmaßenfrakturen behandelt wurden. Material und Methode: Die Daten wurden bezüglich Spezies, Rasse und Alter der Tiere, Alter, Lokalisation und Typ der Fraktur sowie Art (konservativ: mittels PVC-Halbrohren oder Cast; chirurgisch: diverse Osteosynthesetechniken oder Amputation der Gliedmaße) und Erfolgsquote der Behandlung analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die 16 Ziegen und 16 Schafe (18 männlich, 14 weiblich) hatten ein mittleres Alter von 1,5 Jahren und ein mittleres Körpergewicht von 37,8 kg. Die Fraktur war bei 23 Tieren (71,8 %) 1–6 Tage alt, bei fünf Tieren (15,6 %) 12–60 Tage und in vier Fällen (12,5 %) fehlte eine Angabe. Von den 35 Frakturen (Mehrfachfrakturen bei drei Tieren) befanden sich 20 (57,1 %) an der Hinter- und 15 (42,9 %) an der Vorderextremität. Am häufigsten war das Os femoris (28,6 %) frakturiert, gefolgt von Radius und Ulna (22,8 %), Metatarsal- (20,0 %) und Metakarpalknochen (14,3 %). Bei 17 Tieren (63,0 %) erfolgte eine konservative und bei 10 Tieren sowie einem zunächst erfolglos konservativ behandelten Schaf (n = 11, 40,7 %) eine chirurgische Therapie. Fünf Patienten wurden aufgrund weiterer Erkrankungen und schlechter Prognose nicht behandelt. Eine Abheilung ließ sich bei 94,1 % der konservativ behandelten und 81,9 % der chirurgisch therapierten Frakturen erzielen. Bei sechs Tieren (22,2 %) traten bei bzw. nach der Behandlung Komplikationen auf. In vier Fällen kam es zur Abheilung, zwei Tiere wurden letztlich euthanasiert. Einflüsse von Alter bzw. Körpergewicht der Tiere und Alter der Fraktur auf den Therapieerfolg waren nicht nachweisbar. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die Erfolgsquote von 92,6 % (n = 25) bei konservativer und chirurgischer Versorgung führt zur klaren Empfehlung, vor allem konservative Frakturbehandlungen bei Schafen und Ziegen auch in der Praxis vorzunehmen. Hierfür eignen sich insbesondere Frakturen von Röhrbeinen und Phalangen, die sich oft bereits durch sorgfältige und behutsame Palpation gut diagnostizieren lassen. Dagegen stellt bei Frakturen proximaler Knochen die chirurgische Behandlung die erste Wahl dar.

[Therapeutic procedure of a complicated septic epiphyseal osteomyelitis in a heifer. A case report]

A 19-month-old Holstein-Friesian heifer displayed a circular swelling at the distal metacarpal area of the left forelimb with a compact, partially slightly fluctuating consistency. The animal exhibited no weight bearing of the affected limb. Radiological examinations of the fetlock area revealed a physeal osteomyelitis of the metacarpus. Surgical treatment involved a complete resection of the epiphyseal plate using a trephine. After immobilisation using a cast and repeated debridement of the wound cavities, the heifer was discharged with a slight lameness after 10 weeks. Half a year after surgical intervention no lameness was visible.