Clifford M. Honnas

Traumatic dental disease and soft tissue injuries of the oral cavity.

Trauma to the oral cavity can result in an array of injuries affecting teeth, bone, and soft tissue. A thorough examination of the oral cavity is often facilitated by employing a full-mouth speculum after the horse has been tranquilized. Identification of broken, loose, or split teeth; fractures of the premaxilla or mandible; and avulsion or laceration of soft tissue structures such as the lips or tongue is usually straightforward. Treatment options vary depending on the structure involved; however, appropriate treatment generally results in a functional and cosmetically acceptable end result.

Results of plate fixation of type 5 olecranon fractures in 20 horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion of type 5 fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical details and outcome of type 5 olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods. METHODS Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified as type 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow-up results (2-146 months post operatively) were recorded. RESULTS Treatment included open reduction and internal fixation using a narrow or broad dynamic compression plate (n = 20), conservative therapy (n = 7) and euthanasia (n = 5). Long-term follow-up was available in 15 cases treated surgically, of which 2 were sound and in training, 11 sound and performing athletically and 2 unsound. Distal semilunar notch involvement, comminution or open status did not appear to affect prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Internal plate fixation provides an excellent prognosis for an animal to be capable of athletic performance. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Describing tension band plate fixation and results offers a method of fracture repair that should improve treatment and prognosis for type 5 olecranon fractures.

Hoof wall surgery in the horse: approaches to and underlying disorders

Because of the hoof capsule, surgery of the equine foot is often perceived to be quite difficult. Knowledge of the specific disease entities that require surgical intervention as well as an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the tissues beneath the hoof capsule is a definite prerequisite to successful surgical treatment. This article details the surgical approaches used to treat septic navicular bursitis, septic pedal osteitis, infection of the collateral cartilages, and keratomas. The principles used to treat these conditions can be applied to a variety of other conditions for which access through the hoof wall is required.

Standing surgical procedures of the foot.

Several surgical conditions affecting the foot can be successfully managed with the horse standing. Many factors affect the clinicians choice of whether to perform surgery with the horse standing or anesthetized. Temperament or pregnancy of the horse and economics may influence the decision to perform surgery with the horse standing. This article discusses several foot conditions that can be treated successfully in the ambulatory horse.

ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF SEPTIC ARTHRITIS/PHYSITIS OF THE FEMOROPATELLAR JOINT IN A FOAL: a Case report

A 1-month old 103-kg Quarter Horse foal was admitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center for evaluation of right rear lameness, effusion of the right femoropatellar joint, and a swollen umbilicus. At admission, the foal was non-weight beating (Grade 5) on the affected limb and marked effusion of the right femoropatellar joint was present on palpation. The umbilical region was warm, swollen and sensitive to palpation. The foals temperature was elevated (39.7°C). Radiographic examination of the right stifle revealed an osteolytic lesion in the crainal aspect of the distal femur, involving the physis (Figure 1). Because of the radiographic appearance of the lesion in conjunction with the marked effusion of the femoropatellar joint, septic physitis and osteomyelitis was tentatively diagnosed. Radiography of the contralateral stifle did not reveal the osteolytic lesion in the distal femur that was observed in the affected stifle. Ultrasonographic examination of the umbilicus revealed enlarged umbilical arteries. Arthoscopic surgery was recommended to debride the lesion in the distal femur and lavage the femoropatellar joint. In addition, surgical exploration of the umbilical region was recommended since the enlarged umbilical arteries were presumed to be the source of sepsis within the femorpatellar joint. Aspiration of synovial fluid from the femoropatellar joint for cytology, culture and susceptibility was not performed until the time of surgery.