Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Tibia Fracture Management using Intramedullary Pinning - A Study in Three calves

Three young calves with a history of lameness were subjected to detailed orthopaedic and radiographic examination to confirm fracture. Intramedullary pin was advocated for fixation after proper alignment of the fracture fragments with additional circlage wires in one calf. This technique helped to immobilize the fractured fragments from transverse movements and in case of oblique fractures proper holding of bone fragments was made possible with circlage wires. The bamboo splints of proper length were used for external support up to 60 days. All the animals showed partial weight bearing by 1^st post-operative day whereas complete weight bearing on 26 to 32 post-operative days.

Post-operative radiography revealed no disturbances in reduction and displacement of fractured fragments in all three calves except in one calf, where proximal migration of Steinmann pin was observed at 15^th post-operative day. Radiographs showed more radio-dense callus bridging the fractured fragments at 30^th day and more discrete and compact callus at 45^th post-operative day. Radiographs showed reduction in callus size and disappearance of fracture gap in all calves at 60^th post-operative day. Intramedullary pinning fixation gave satisfactory results in calves with tibial fractures but final decision was depend on patient condition and fracture type.