Alternative approach for fracture fixation following implant infection
in a Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal phalanx in a
Warmblood foal.
Abstract
A two-day-old female Warmblood foal (70 kg) presented with a closed,
displaced Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal physis of the
left hind first phalanx. For fracture repair four 4.5 mm cortical screws
and wire in a figure-of-8 pattern were applied on the lateral and medial
aspect of the phalanx, respectively. A 4.5 mm cortical screw was
additionally inserted in lag-fashion to engage the lateral metaphyseal
spike. Three days postoperatively, medial axis deviation and implant
infection were noted and revision surgery was performed. Previous
implants were removed and two 4.5 mm transphyseal cortical lag-screws
were placed in proximolateral-distomedial and
dorsoproximal-plantarodistal direction. Postoperatively, the fracture
healed rapidly and the implants were removed 6 weeks later. Nineteen
months after implant removal the horse did not show any sign of
lameness, despite a shortening of the proximal phalanx compared to the
contralateral limb. In cases of postoperative implant instability and
infection, implant removal often becomes necessary. However, new
implants cannot be placed safely in the previous location. To avoid this
problem, this report describes an alternative approach for screw
positioning in case of previous implant infection in a Salter-Harris
type-II fracture of the proximal physis of the first phalanx.