Treatment of fracture of tibia in calves and its radiographic evaluation

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 16 apparently healthy cross – bred bull calves aged from six to nine months and weighing 38 to 75 kg. They were divided into two groups, viz: Group 1 consisting of six animals; and Group 11 consisting of 10 animals. Under chloral nacrosis and epidural anaesthesia, fracture of tibia was created either on the middle or at the lower third after incising the skin medially and sawing the tibia with a wire saw. In Group 1, the skin wound was sutured, fracture reduced and plaster cast applied. Enteromycetin was administered intramuscularly. None of the animals could bear weight on the fractured limb. Wound infection and abscess formation was apparent. Though reduction was proper initially, the fragments showed displacement later. Subsequent radiographs did not show any progressive osteogenic reaction and in none of the animals clinical union was noticed. In Group 11, Kuentscher Cloverleaf nail was directed into the medullary canal with the help of the guide wire and was anchored into the distal fragment. The wound was sutured and plaster of paris cast was applied as an additional support. Excepting two animals, the rest could bear weight by the 10th to 30th day. Streptopenicillin or Munomycin was first administered. This was later followed by a course of Chloramphaenicol after sensitivity test of the pus. Periosteal proliferation was apparent on either fragments by third to fifth week which became more prominent by the fifth to sixth week. Lipping of the fracture edges, obliteration of the fracture line and the formation of the callus were observed by the seventh to eighth week. Later, organisation of the callus took place. Of the ten cases, clinical union had taken place in six animals as evidenced by the dense callus in radiographs. In other cases extension of the local infection into the medullary canal had resulted in non – union of fracture even though osteogenic reaction was in progress inspite of the infection. From the results of the present study it is seen that, (1) Internal fixation using Kuentscher Cloverleaf nail supported by plaster cast and administration of antibiotics would be a satisfactory technique, and (2) reduction followed by immobilisation with plaster cast alone will not be satisfactory in the treatment of tibial fractures in calves.