Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(01): 33-36
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632566
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Collateral Ligament Prosthesis for Stabilization of Transverse Subchondral Fracture of Metatarsus III/IV in a Calf

G. Hirsbrunner
1   From the Clinic for Food Animals and Horses, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
P. Schawalder
2   From the Department of Small Animal Surgery and Orthopaedics, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
A. Steiner
1   From the Clinic for Food Animals and Horses, University of Bern, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 20 June 1996

Publication Date:
22 February 2018 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

The successful use of a collateral ligament prosthesis for stabilization of a transverse subchondral fracture of metatarsus III/IV in a newborn calf is reported. The proximal metaphysis of the right metatarsus III/IV was displaced medially with the medial collateral ligaments ruptured. On the medial side the periosteum was intact, whereas it was detached on the lateral side. The fracture was reduced and the collateral ligaments and the periosteum were reattached on the lateral side of the proximal metatarsus III/IV using titanium alloy staples. On the medial side a braided polypropylene yarn prosthesis, including the ruptured collateral ligaments was attached to the os tarsale II/III and the proximal metatarsus III/IV, using titanium alloy staples. The minimal internal stabilization was reinforced by a full limb fibreglass cast.

Seven months after the operation clinical and radiographic follow-up examination revealed complete healing of the fracture without signs of ankylosis of the tarsometatarsal joint. The calf did not show any signs of lameness and axial alignment of the fractured bone in the frontal and sagittal plane was excellent.

Subchondral fractures in calves have rarely been described. The case reported here deals with treatment of a subchondral fracture of metatarsus III/IV in a newborn calf. Open fracture reduction was followed by minimal internal stabilization, using a collateral ligament prosthesis, which was reinforced by external coaptation. Follow-up examination revealed complete healing of the fracture in good alignment.

Keywords

Calf - metatarsus III/IV - subchondral fracture - collateral ligament prosthesis
 

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Jones DL. What is your diagnosis?. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992; 201: 149-50.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Burt JK, Myers VS, Hillmann DJ, Getty R. The radiographic locations of epiphyseal lines in bovine limbs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1968; 152: 168-74.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Greenough PR, MacCallum FJ, Weaver AD. Position of growth plates (physes). In: Lameness in Cattle. 2nd ed.. Weaver AD. (ed). Bristol: Wright & Sons; 1981: 83-90.
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Salter RB, Harris WR. Injuries involving the epiphyseal plate. J Bone Joint Surg 1963; 45 A: 587-622.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bucher O. Knochenverbindungen. In: Cytologic, Histologic und mikroskopische Anatomie des Menschen. 9th ed.. Bucher O. (ed). Bern, Stuttgart, Wien: Verlag Hans Huber; 1977: 403-7.
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Kleinman PK, Marks SC, Blackbourne B. The metaphyseal lesion in abused infants. Am J Roentgenol 1986; 146: 895-905.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Morscher E. Cartilage-bone lesions of the knee joint following injury. Reconstr Surg Traumatol 1971; 12: 2-26.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Matthewson MH, Dandy DJ. Osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle. J Bone Joint Surg 1978; 60-B: 199-202.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Foerner JJ. Luxations. In: Equine Surgery. 1st ed.. Auer JA. (ed). Philadelphia: Saunders; 1992: 1055-75.
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. Die Gelenke der Beckengliedmaße. In: Anatomie der Haustiere. 1st ed.. Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. (eds). Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke Verlag; 1991: 101-4.
    Google Scholar
  • 11 Kennedy JC, Roth JH, Mendenhall HV, Sanford JB. Intraarticular replacement in the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee. Am J Sports Med 1980; 8: 1-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Shapiro JS, Appleby D, Blair WE, Gaechter A. The use of power-driven staples in fracture surgery. Contemp Orthop 1994; 29: 63-76.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Schawalder P, Spreng D, Weber U. Funktionelle Rekonstruktion von Bandrupturen mit synthetischem Material. Veterinarspiegel 1995; 4: 4-18.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Schawalder P, Spreng D, Weber U. Funktionelle Rekonstruktion von Bandrupturen mit synthetischem Material, Teil II. Veterinarspiegel 1996; 1: 18-21.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar