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Lag Screw Fixation of a Slab Fracture in the Third Carpal Bone in a Korean Racehorse

  • Received : 2020.05.07
  • Accepted : 2020.07.01
  • Published : 2020.08.31

Abstract

A 3-year-old male Thoroughbred serving as a Korean racehorse named RAON PORTEOUS presented with acute lameness concomitant with edema and fever in the right carpal joint after completing a horse race. Through radiological examination using lateromedial oblique, flexed lateromedial oblique and dorsopromixal-dorsodistal oblique views, the horse was diagnosed with a slab fracture in the 3rd carpal bone of right forelimb. The fracture was surgically approached and corrected by applying 4.5 mm leg screw fixation during surgery. At eight months post-surgery, the horse was able to return to racing and has had successful racing performances with two wins and several prizes in the last 8 months. This is the first reported case of the successful use of lag screw fixation surgery in Korea with the horse showing complete recovery from a severe injury that is often considered fatal in a racehorse.

Keywords

References

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