Abstract
The simple and easy treatment with cast or splint has been applied to stabilize long bone fractures in farm animals. Applying cast or splint is relatively easier than surgical fixation and may temporarily stabilize fracture site. However, the internal fixation provides strong stabilization and early recovery of limb function. In this report, we describe six cases of limb fractures in calves repaired by internal fixation. Fracture sites are various and affected ages are between 1 day and several months old. In some cases, patients were treated with cast or splint before admitting to Veterinary Medical Center. In these patients, regardless of initial treatment fractures were not immobilized. Consequently we decided to treat these patients with open reduction and internal fixation. The fracture repair with implants(bone plate, screw, cerclage wire, and intramedullary pin) were effective and satisfactory in calves which had been failed by application of cast. Although the cost of orthopedic treatment in farm animal is one of the most important considerations from the practical point of view, internal fixation has many benefits in newborn and young calves. And simplicity of postoperative management is also practically significant benefit expected from infernal fixation In conclusion, we suggest that internal fixation will produce better result than external coaptation in calve.
