Repair of a Diaphyseal Fracture of the Metatarsus by Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in an Adult Bactrian Camel

Summary

This paper describes the treatment of a diaphyseal fracture of the metatarsus in an adult Bactrian camel. Application of a round hole plate, on the lateral side, by means of cortical screws in lag fashion on the proximal fragment, in combination with a dor-sally placed DCP plate resulted in delayed healing. Postoperatively a synthetic cast was placed up to the tarsal region to supply external immobilization. Local postoperative infection, noted two weeks after surgery, was successfully treated by the implantation of gentamicin pearls, in combination with systemic parenteral and oral antibiotics. Although delayed callus formation was observed radiographically, an acceptable degree of fracture healing was present after six months.

This report describes the successful open reduction and internal fixation treatment of a diaphyseal fracture of the metatarsal shaft in a Bactrian camel.

Keywords

Camel - diaphyseal fracture - internal fixation - orthopaedics - delayed union

• References

• 1 Dorman AJ. Aspect of the husbandry and management of the genus Camclus. In: The Camel in Health and Disease. Higgins AJ. (ed). London: Bailliere Tindall; 1986: 3-21.
• 2 Ramadan RO, Kock RA, Higgins AJ. Observations on the diagnosis and treatment of surgical conditions in the camcl. In: The Camel in Health and Disease. Higgins AJ. (ed). London: Bailliere Tindall; 1986: 121-36.
• 3 White RJ. Anaesthetic management of the camel. In: The Camel in Health and Disease. Higgins AJ. (ed). London: Bailliere Tindall; 1986: 136-49.
• 4 Roming LGR. Tolazolin als Xylazin-Antagonist beim Rind. Dtsch Tierarztl Wschr 1984; 91: 154-7.
• 5 Tranquilli WJ. Techniques of inhalation anesthesia in ruminants and swine. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 1986; 3: 596-620.
• 6 Turner AS, Mills EJ, Gabel AA. In vivo measurement of bone strain in the horse. Am J Vet Res 1975; 36: 1573-9.
• 7 Milne DW, Turner AS, Gabel AA. Surgical approach to certain long bones of the horses for application of tension band plates. Am J Vet Med Assoc 1976; 168: 48-52.
• 8 Turner S, Milne DW, Gabel AA. Use of the dynamic compression plate for treatment of equine long-bone fractures. Am J Vet Res 1976; 37: 309-15.