COLLATERAL LIGAMENT PROSTHESIS FOR STABILIZATION OF TRANSVERSE SUBCHONDRAL FRACTURE OF METATARSUS III IV IN A CALF/

The successful use of a collateral ligament prosthesis for stabilizati on of a transverse subchondral fracture of metatarsus III/IV in a newb orn calf is reported. The proximal metaphysis of the right metatarsus III/IV was displaced medially with the medial collateral ligaments rup tured. On the medial side the periosteum was intact, whereas it was de tached on the lateral side. The fracture was reduced and the collatera l ligaments and the periosteum were reattached on the lateral side of the proximal metatarsus III/IV using titanium alloy staples. On the me dial side a braided polypropylene yarn prosthesis, including the ruptu red collateral ligaments attached to the os tarsale and the proximal m etatarsus III/IV, using titanium alloy staples. The minimal internal s tabilization was reinforced by a full limb fibreglass cast. Seven mont hs 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 lamen ess and axial alignment of the fractured bone in the frontal and sagit tal plane was excellent.