AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

Fracture management in horses is still difficult. The initial management and evaluation of horses with a suspected fracture has been and still is extremely important. New and old stabilization options that are available, which influence case outcome will be briefly discussed. Fracture in horses from a mechanics point of view it is far more complicated than any other common species including humans in which repairs are performed. Due to these factors equine surgeons need to pay substantially more attention to biomechanical forces and how they are resisted during repair. Recent developments such as locking compression plate (LCP) technology have been a significant improvement in the equine surgeons armamentarium. These implants and improved patient management have allowed for significantly more fracture repairs to be attempted and more importantly to be successful. Adjunct options such as minimally invasive placement of repairs and improved treatment of infections, mostly by local delivery of antibiotics, have been large steps forward. A variety of fracture cases with discussion of different treatment options will be presented and discussed as time permits.