A CLINICAL STUDY OF LONG BONE FRACTURES IN SHEEP AND GOATS
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Date
2012-05
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
The present study was carried out on 45 clinical cases of long bone fractures in sheep (7) and goats (38) of either sex aged between 2 months to 7 years, referred for treatment to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Campus Veterinary Hospital, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Routine clinical examination followed by radiography was used for diagnosis. Out of the 45 cases that were taken up for study, 15 animals (9 metacarpal, 4 metatarsals and one each of radius-ulna and tibia fractures) were treated by application of Plaster of Paris cast. Post-operative radiographic examination showed good alignment and apposition of the fracture fragments in all the cases treated with application of POP cast. Minimal complications were encountered, i.e., transient disuse atrophy in one case. 13 cases (8 were metacarpal fractures followed by 2 metatarsals, 2 cases of radius-ulna and 1 tibia), were treated by application of, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) splints and bandage was used to externally immobilize fractures in 13 cases (8 metacarpal, 2 metatarsals, 2 radius-ulna and 1 tibial fracture). PVC splints and bandage application resulted in satisfactory alignment and fracture healing in 9 cases while in 4 cases the alignment was not exact but satisfactory fracture healing occurred with callus formation and mild periosteal reaction in most of the cases, inspite of inexact alignment. Mild pressure sores and muscle contracture occurred in one goat, but these symptoms resolved once the goat started using the limb, following removal of the PVC splints. Modified Thomas splints were constructed with aluminum rods of 8 mm diameter to suit individual animals. These splints were used to treat 5 animals (4 tibial fractures and 1 femur fracture). Good alignment with satisfactory fracture healing followed in 4 animals, while
in one case, mal union was noticed by the second week of application. However, even this animal could use the limb satisfactorily. Free-form External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) was used in 10 cases (2 sheep and 8 goats) with open fractures. ESF was applied to immobilize 4 metatarsal, 3 tibial, 2 metacarpal and one radius-ulna fractures. The ESF assembly was constructed using an aluminum rod and epoxy compound (M-seal) to act as a connecting bar, to economize. Results showed that the ESF was easy to use, economic in cost and served the purpose of immobilizing open fractures well. Post operative clinical and radiographic evaluation showed good fracture healing with good endosteal and minimal periosteal callus formation. ESF allowed early weight bearing and prevented associated muscle atrophy. In one animal with open fracture of tibia, slight outward deviation was observed. However, this animal had satisfactory weight bearing and pain free locomotion during the post-operative period. No evidence of infection, discharge or swelling was seen in any animal. At the time of removal of the ESF, the proximal pin was found to be loose in all the animals. However, this did not cause any hindrance to fracture healing. The two cases with fracture of the femur, healed well and recovered uneventfully following internal fixation with intramedullary pinning in one case and intramedullary pinning combined with full Cerclage wiring in the other. The Steinman pins were removed on the 45th and 48th post-operative day following good fracture healing and pain free limb usage by the animals. The complications encountered in the animals of the present study were considered minimal and transient to be of any significance.
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