Reduction and external coaptation as successful treatment for tarsocrural joint luxation in an Arabian mare

Abstract

Summary A 4‐year‐old Arabian mare was presented for evaluation of a suspected right tarsal luxation. Radiographs of the affected area revealed a tarsocrural joint luxation with an associated fractured lateral tibial malleolus. Under general anaesthesia, the fractured lateral malleolus was surgically removed via an arthrotomy and the luxation reduced. A full‐limb fibreglass cast was then placed. Recovery from anaesthesia was assisted with a tail rope. The limb was immobilised for 8 weeks with a cast. The mare made a good recovery and was used as a broodmare 18 months later, despite osteoarthritis affecting the joint.

Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature

“…Eighteen publications reported different systems to recover horses from general anaesthesia [317][318][319][320][321][322][323][324][325][326][327][328][329][330][331][332][333][334].…”

“…(1) Cardiopulmonary function following anesthesia in horses experiencing hydro pool recovery versus padded stall recovery [317] (2) Cardiopulmonary function in horses during anesthetic recovery in a hydropool [318] (3) Comparison of recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow or the floor of a padded stall [319] (4) Arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary ventilation in horses placed in the Anderson Sling suspension system after a period of lateral recumbency and anaesthetised with constant rate infusions of romifidine and ketamine [320] (5) Comparison between head-tail-rope assisted and unassisted recoveries in healthy horses undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgeries [ (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia [332] 5 (17) Internal fixation of a fractured axis in an adult horse [333] (18) Reduction and external coaptation as successful treatment for tarsocrural joint luxation in an Arabian mare [334] Total recovery systems publications = 18…”

Tarsal luxation in the horse: Management options and challenges

“…In this report, successful examination of the joint by means of arthroscopy was attempted but unsuccessful due to disruption of joint architecture (Maitland‐Stuart et al . ); however, this author would suggest in the future to attempt arthroscopic exploration once the luxation has been corrected, as correct joint position should make exploration feasible.…”

“…In the accompanying Case Report (Maitland‐Stuart et al . ), the authors report on the successful management of a tarsocrural luxation in an Arabian mare by means of reduction and a full limb cast. Different from the flat and unstable surface encountered in tarsometatarsal and proximal intertarsal luxations, the tarsocrural joint offers the advantage once reduced of certain lateromedial stability thanks to the interdigitating that the trochlear ridges of the talus and the trochlear grooves of the tibia provide.…”