Fractures of the palmar aspect of the carpal bones in horses: 10 cases (1984-2000)

Objective-To determine clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and o utcome of horses with fractures of the palmar aspect of the radial carpal b one, with or without concurrent fractures of the palmar surfaces of the oth er carpal bones. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-10 horses. Procedure-Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on history, s ignalment, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Foll ow-up information was gathered from owners and referring veterinarians. Results-7 horses became lame after recovery fro general anesthesia for trea tment of an unrelated problem. The remaining 3 horses developed a forelimb lameness after falling (1 horse) or being turned out in a pasture (2 horses ). Fractures involved the palmar surface of the radial carpal bone in all 1 0 horses; in addition, the ulnar carpal bone was affected in 2 horses, the intermediate carpal bone in 2 horses, and the distal aspect of the radius i n 4 horses. None of the 4 horses treated nonsurgically returned to work, an d 3 were euthanatized because of recalcitrant lameness. In the other 6 hors es, fragments were removed surgically. Two were euthanatized because of con tinued lameness, 1 was euthanatized for other reasons, 2 were sound enough for light work, and 1 returned to athletic work. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that fractures of the pa lmar aspect of the carpal bones are uncommon in horses. The prognosis appea rs to be poor for affected horses but may be better for horses that undergo arthroscopic removal of intra-articular fragments.