Summary Ulnar fractures in three horses were repaired using plate fixation whilst sedated and restrained in stocks in the standing position. In each horse, the triceps muscle attachment was intact. All horses recovered well from surgery and were stable for 3 months. The plate was removed 3 months after surgery in one of the horses because of a surgical site infection. In all three cases, the fracture was adequately reduced, and the horses returned to showjumping, pleasure riding and pasture turnout with a view to begin training. The surgical technique, local anaesthesia and sedation protocols are described. This is a novel technique that may be suitable in selected cases of ulnar fracture in the horse where triceps muscle engagement is present with mild fracture displacement.

BackgroundRefractometric determination of total protein (TP) in synovial fluid (SF) is commonly used for diagnosis and monitoring of synovial sepsis in horses. Previous studies have shown that elevated concentrations of certain anticoagulants may overestimate refractometric determination of TP concentration.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of dipotassium EDTA (K2EDTA) and lithium heparin (LH) on TP determination by using a hand-held refractometer in equine synovial fluid.Study designCross-section observational study.MethodsThirty samples of synovial fluid obtained from 22 horses with different synovial conditions were collected. Synovial fluid samples were separated into different aliquots and placed in commercially available collection tubes containing K2EDTA or LH at four different concentrations (1.76, 3.52, 7.04 and 17.6 mg/ml for K2EDTA; 16, 32, 64 and 160 IU/ml for LH) . Refractometric TP determination was performed on untreated and K2EDTA and LH aliquots with a hand-held refractometer and by spectophotometric Biuret method as the gold standard.ResultsRefractometric TP determination was overestimated in SF samples containing 10 times the recommended K2EDTA concentrations. Lower concentrations of K2EDTA and LH concentrations did not affect refractometric TP determinations.Main limitationsLimited number of samples mostly obtained from large synovial structures.ConclusionTo avoid incorrect TP determination, the use of LH containing collection tubes may be an appropriate alternative when the SF volume available is not enough to fill the K2EDTA collection tube.

A 2-year-old racing Thoroughbred gelding in training was presented with moderate (6/10) right hindlimb lameness unresponsive to regional anaesthesia of the right hind limb. Gamma scintigraphic examination revealed severe, focal, increased radio-pharmaceutical uptake over the dorsal aspect of the right 18th rib, which had an abnormal contour. Ultrasonographic examination of this area confirmed the presence of a complete, displaced fracture of the proximal aspect of the right 18th rib. Local infiltration with local anaesthetic around the 18th right rib (10ml cranial and 10ml caudal to the fracture site) abolished the right hindlimb lameness. A diagnosis of rib fracture causing moderate ipsilateral hindlimb lameness was made. The horse returned to walking exercise after 12 weeks of rest and was reported to be sound on the same limb 12 months after presentation. Caudal rib fractures should be considered as possible cause of hind limb lameness. Local diagnostic anaesthesia around the fracture site can aid localise the origin of lameness.