Broken splint bone. Treatment and prognosis? X-rays included.

[RegentLion]

@LadyBug

Sorry to hear about your horse. I can relate to the new baby and looking forward to the summer. When my mare had a similar break it was not long after I had brought her home after having my baby.

My vet x-rayed the leg on the first visit because of the location of the wound. We did antibiotics, wraps to keep the wound clean, and stall rest. I opted out of surgery since my horse is a little older and vet didn’t think it was necessary, so we did follow-up x-rays to make sure everything was still in place. She came back completely sound. However, if I had opted for surgery my vet was going to do it at the clinic and gave me a ballpark estimate of $1,200-1,500. Food for thought.

So I’m assuming your horse never developed a sequestrum or a drainage tract? If I’m understanding correctly the reason my horse is not a great “leave it alone” candidate is because he has an infection or drainage tract.

Im not clear on if the X-ray shows an actual sequestrum or not.

[RegentLion]

@RedHorses

The fractured piece can end up “loose” without concern if it is positioned so as not to affect the surrounding soft tissue. The body can produce stabilizing scar tissue and the piece of bone can be left alone. Should that change some time down the years, surgery is still an option.

So if you can get that wound healed, and there is no lameness, he might not need surgery.

This is my hope. So he’s on SMZs (15 pills 2x a day) for 3 weeks plus a cycle of an animalintex poultice and wrapping. He remains sound and on small paddock turnout.

The vet said the broken off piece is unlikely to travel and he should heal fine if the wound closes. Apparently that would indicate that there is no infection or sequestrum.(?)

[RegentLion]

@IPEsq

Almost 3 months in, there should be some new calcification happening or something since it doesn’t appear to be shattered or grossly displaced. But these bones sometimes don’t heal the best, which is why with a middle body or distal fracture, the bottom piece just gets taken out. If anything is infected or necrotic, it definitely gets taken out.

How’s the horse’s bloodwork?

We didn’t run bloodwork. The vet is new to the area and I’m not really familiar with the extent of her equine vet experience. We are in one of those areas with limited local vet support.

I’ve been in contact with the vet practice who would perform surgery, and no one has mentioned bloodwork. What would you suggest be run and what would you look for? I know you’ve been through a lot with your boy and am interested in your view point.

I think, if I’m understanding, the reason there’s been no calcification is because of the presence of infection. But I could be mistaken.

[IPEsq]

@RegentLion

We didn’t run bloodwork. The vet is new to the area and I’m not really familiar with the extent of her equine vet experience. We are in one of those areas with limited local vet support.

I’ve been in contact with the vet practice who would perform surgery, and no one has mentioned bloodwork. What would you suggest be run and what would you look for? I know you’ve been through a lot with your boy and am interested in your view point.

I think, if I’m understanding, the reason there’s been no calcification is because of the presence of infection. But I could be mistaken.

I would think that bloodwork would be interesting information if infection is suspected. Probably just run a CBC.

[LadyBug]

@RegentLion

So I’m assuming your horse never developed a sequestrum or a drainage tract? If I’m understanding correctly the reason my horse is not a great “leave it alone” candidate is because he has an infection or drainage tract.

Im not clear on if the X-ray shows an actual sequestrum or not.

I guess not. It took a very long time for the swelling to subside and for the wound to heal as it was puncture-like. She was wrapped for a few weeks and then I had to wean her off the bandages, but she never developed any complications. The follow-up x-rays showed things staying in place and some calcification. If that hadn’t happened then we would have re-considered surgery.