Fractured Fibula

[isserkelly_ramsey]

Has anyone had any experience with stress fractures of the fibula? My horse was vaguely lame for around 4 months when we decided to get X-rays. This was the result, my vet has never seen this before and is consulting other vets. I have put him on box rest, not sure how long we are going to keep him in at this point.

 

[ycbm]

Is there a reason why that spur of bone can't be removed like a broken splint bone would be?

It doesn't look thick enough to actually be supporting anything.

 

[ycbm]

Out of interest I've been reading up on this and it's a rare injury, apparently most commonly seen in racehorses. If he isn't sounder after a month of box rest I would be asking for the bone to be taken out, as it is a vestigial, unnecessary, bone just like splint bones are in the forelegs. Your horse's also look to be incomplete, which I would hope would mean it was more likely to resolve the lameness. Can you let us know how things go?

Fascinating x rays thanks for sharing. I hope he comes right for you soon.
.

 

[isserkelly_ramsey]

Is there a reason why that spur of bone can't be removed like a broken splint bone would be?

It doesn't look thick enough to actually be supporting anything.

I haven’t been given any options at this point so that may be possible. It’s a very rare injury so no one seems to have an answer at this point. I’m hoping that we can be referred to a specialists. It is not weight bearing which is why it took us so long to notice, he was only slightly lame on the left lead canter.

 

[isserkelly_ramsey]

Tha

Out of interest I've been reading up on this and it's a rare injury, apparently most commonly seen in racehorses. If he isn't sounder after a month of box rest I would be asking for the bone to be taken out, as it is a vestigial, unnecessary, bone just like splint bones are in the forelegs. Your horse's also look to be incomplete, which I would hope would mean it was more likely to resolve the lameness. Can you let us know how things go?

Fascinating x rays thanks for sharing. I hope he comes right for you soon.
.

Thank you, I will definitely ask when my vet gets back off of annual leave. He is also a heavy gypsy cob that has only done light pleasure work for 3 months. So no idea how he has done an injury seen in athletic horses.
I will keep this thread updated.

 

[isserkelly_ramsey]

Tha


Thank you, I will definitely ask when my vet gets back off of annual leave. He is also a heavy gypsy cob that has only done light pleasure work for 3 months. So no idea how he has done an injury seen in athletic horses.
I will keep this thread updated.

Although unlike a splint bone the fibula has a purpose of stabilising the ankle joint.

 

[ycbm]

Although unlike a splint bone the fibula has a purpose of stabilising the ankle joint.

Only in a human. From what I've read this bone is not supportive in a horse and often not even all there. It doesn't look complete in your horse and it looks very thin.

 

[isserkelly_ramsey]

Only in a human. From what I've read this bone is not superior in a horse and often not all there. It doesn't look complete in your horse.

Ok thank you, I will definitely ask my vet.

 

[Britestar]

Interestingly, a friend of mine has also had her big cob diagnosed with a fractured fibula.
However, the vet school feel it is not the primary problem, and should heal in its own time. The treatment for the revelant injury is the same as for the fracture.