SUPRAGLENOID TUBERCLE FRACTURES IN HORSES

Successful management of supraglenoid tubercle fractures in horses has been reported infrequently in the literature. As a consequence, horse s sustaining this type of fracture commonly have been given a poor pro gnosis for athletic performance. From the few published case reports, it is evident, however, that with proper case selection and good techn ique, horses that are treated by surgical intervention may have a bett er prognosis than initially perceived. To enhance the likelihood of su ccess, internal fixation should be accompanied by partial or complete transection of the biceps brachii tendon. Comparison of results from h orses undergoing internal fixation and those undergoing excision of th e supraglenoid tubercle fracture fragment reveals that fragment remova l may be the procedure of choice. An analysis is given of the manageme nt protocols for horses sustaining supraglenoid tubercle fractures, ba sed on published case reports and seven cases presented to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.