Pan-carpal arthrodesis as a treatment for distal radial fracture in a pony

Complete, displaced radial fractures carry a poor prognosis in adult horses. In foals and ponies, fracture repair may have a good outcome following internal fixation. Distal radial fractures are difficult to stabilise due to limited bony purchase. Therefore, carpal arthrodesis may provide a viable option for salvaging the horse. In this report, we describe pan-carpal arthrodesis as a treatment for distal radial fracture in an adult pony. A 12-year-old pony, 180 kg bodyweight, was presented due to left front non-weight bearing lameness. Diagnosis of a closed, comminuted, displaced distal radial fracture, with antebrachiocarpal joint involvement, was made radiographically. The fracture was repaired and pan-carpal arthrodesis was performed. Recovery was uneventful. The implants were gradually removed, in a minimally invasive standing procedure, due to surgical site infection. Two years following surgery, the horse is sound at a walk and trots freely with flexion of the affected carpus. Radiographs revealed healing of the fracture and failure of the arthrodesis. In essence, unintentionally, we performed temporary trans-articular stabilisation by repairing a distal radial comminuted fracture, while preserving partial carpal range of motion. This technique, of temporary trans-articular stabilisation, could be applied intentionally on other distal or proximal long bone fractures in horses.