THE REPAIR OF CONDYLAR FRACTURES OF THE 3RD METACARPAL BONE AND THE 3RD METATARSAL BONE USING THE HERBERT COMPRESSION SCREW IN 9 THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSES

Repair of condylar fractures of the third metacarpal bone and the thir d metatarsal bone using the Herbert compression screw is reviewed in n ine Thoroughbred racehorses. The development of a technique of repairi ng distal cannon bone fractures with the Herbert screw includes the fo llowing advantages: provides effective fracture reduction using a devi ce that pulls the two bone fragments together via the different pitch threads; recesses the fixation device beneath the bone surface to prev ent lameness associated with soft tissue irritation caused by protrudi ng screw heads; and, by leaving the Herbert screw in place, decreases lay-up time and risk of infection or fracture associated with a second surgical procedure to remove the screw.