Equine Spiral Fractures — Is There A Way Back?
A suspected fracture in a horse should always be treated as a veterinary emergency. There are many different types of fracture, some of which can be treated by your vet if the horse is attended to promptly.
One common and potentially life-threatening fracture is a 'spiral fracture'. So, what is a spiral fracture, how could one happen and what's the likely outcome for your horse?
Spiral fractures
A spiral fracture commonly affects the long bones of the horse's leg and can occur below or above the knee or hock joint. Spiral fractures usually affect the horse's front legs and have a few different causes.
A common cause of a spiral fracture is a kick from a shod field mate. The trauma of a kick cracks the bone, causing a weakness that, if undetected, gradually extends up and around the bone. Spiral fractures also occur following very fast work on hard ground. Sometimes, a horse may sustain a spiral fracture when jumping large fences on hard ground as a result of the trauma to the bone when landing over a fence. A severe blow or traumatic injury sustained while travelling can also cause a spiral fracture to form.
Signs and symptoms
Although the site of the fracture is usually closed and may initially appear as just an innocuous bump or small wound, spiral fractures often cause very severe lameness, with the horse showing a reluctance to move immediately following the injury.
It is extremely important that you keep your horse still if you suspect that he has sustained a fracture, even if he is out in his field and the injury is discovered when you come to bring him in. Summon the emergency vet and remain with your horse until the vet has assessed him. Try not to let your horse lie down and keep him standing still while you are waiting.
The injury site will quickly begin to swell and become hot to the touch.
Treatment and prognosis
If a spiral fracture is diagnosed quickly and horse is immobilised to prevent further injury, there is a chance he can be saved. Repair of the fracture will involve using stainless steel screws to effectively pin the cracked bone together to allow it to fuse.
The horse must be kept as still and quiet as possible in his box or hospitalised for at least six weeks while the bone heals. X-rays will be required to monitor the recovery and regrowth of the bone. The vet may place the affected limb in a plastic splint to prevent movement and the horse will need to be kept in a stall to prevent him from lying down, as the bone could shatter under the effort of rising.
Once the bone has fused completely, the horse can be given light walking exercise in-hand. Some horses can return to light ridden work, but generally the prognosis is for retirement following recovery.
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