Successful Management of Simple Fractures of the Femoral Neck With Femoral Head and Neck Excision Arthroplasty in Two Free-living Avian Species

Abstract

A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Canada goose (Branta canadensis) were evaluated for unilateral pelvic limb lameness. Physical examination findings and results of diagnostic imaging revealed femoral neck fractures in both birds. Both birds were treated with a femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty. The affected legs were not immobilized, and the birds were encouraged to use the legs immediately after surgery to encourage formation of a pseudoarthrosis. Within 2 weeks, both birds were using the affected limb well enough to be either successfully released or transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty without immobilization of the limb is recommended for managing avian femoral neck fractures, especially in free-ranging species in which a rapid and complete or near complete return to function is vital for survival in the wild.

Surgical Stabilisation of a Coxofemoral Luxation in a Northern Goshawk (Accipter gentilis) with Transarticular Pinning

“…The present case report describes the surgical treatment of a coxofemoral luxation in a Northern goshawk with the use of a transarticular pin after an unsuccessful conservative therapy. In our case the clinical signs with a forward adducted and slightly external rotated position of the leg with a reduced mobility are typical for a craniodorsal luxation of the coxofemoral joint, a very common luxation of hip joint in raptors [ 2 , 3 , 14 ]. The treatment of a luxation in general includes the reduction and stabilization of the joint to prevent reluxation.…”

“…Conservative management include spica splints, casts and slings [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Surgical stabilization can be achieved via polypropylene sutures [ 3 , 4 , 10 ], transarticular pinning [ 6 ] or toggle-pin technique [ 11 ]; excision arthroplasty of the femoral head has also been described [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Retrospective Analysis of Pelvic Limb Fracture Management in Companion Psittacine Birds (60 Cases)

“…Although patient follow-up was consistent for 228 days, all further diagnostics and femoral head and neck excision were declined by the owner. Femoral head and neck excision has been shown to be successful in a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), 11 and Indian ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameri). 12 Limitations of this study include the constraints of a retrospective analysis, including relying on subjective record keeping.…”

Successful repair of coracoid and femur fractures in a Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and its post-release survival

“…Traumatic injuries are a common cause of casualty admissions of wild birds, and hundreds of birds presenting with bone fractures are admitted to wildlife rescue centers in Korea [ 8 ]. Many cases of fracture reduction in wild birds have been reported [ 9 10 11 ], although there have been few reports of successful survival of raptors released in the wild after surgical repair or rehabilitation [ 12 ].…”