Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600 007 (TN)
Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar-585 401 (Karnataka)
A male crossbred calf aged one and half month and weighing about 60 kg was referred with non-weight bearing on its left hind limb following a fall. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed oblique fracture of the femur at mid-shaft. Under epidural anaesthesia with 2% lignocaine hydrochloride and sedation with xylazine, the femur was immobilised after removal of a large free fragment and by inserting a 5-mm Steinmann pin in retrograde fashion. Then 5-mm end threaded positive profile pins, two each in the proximal and distal fragments, were inserted as procedure indicated for standard type Ia linear external skeletal fixation technique. The intramedullary pin was finally tied up with the external frame. Weight bearing and satisfactory implant tolerance was noticed immediately after surgery. Radiological sign of healing was evident as early as two weeks and satisfactory union was noticed on the 4th week. Desirable clinical union was achieved on the 6th week and full functional limb usage during 8th week.
