Three or four weeks time is all that is required for the average young colt to be kept in splints when suffering from simple transverse fracture of the radius.
Compound fractures are necessarily more difficult to treat than are the simple variety, but even in such cases recovery results sometimes, and the practitioner is justified in attempting treatment after having explained the situation to his client.
Oblique fractures, even when simple, do not completely recover. Muscular and tendinous contraction, together with the natural tendency for the beveled contacting parts of the broken bone to pass one another in oblique fracture, results in shortening of the leg and, if union results, a large callus usually forms. Where shortening of bones occur, necessarily, permanent lameness follows.
Wounds of the Anterior Brachial Region.
Etiology and Occurrence.—Contusions and lacerations of the forearm are of frequent occurrence in horses and are troublesome cases to handle; particularly is this noticeable where extensive laceration of the parts occurs. These injuries are caused by animals being kicked; by striking the forearm against bars in jumping; and in sections of the country where barbed wire is used to enclose pastures, extensive lacerated wounds are met with when horses jump into such fences.
Symptomatology.—Any wound which causes inflammation of the structures of the anterior half of the forearm, is characterized by swinging-leg-lameness. Depending upon the nature and extent of the injury, manifestation varies. In cases where laceration has practically divided all of the substance of the extensor tendons, it is, of course, impossible for the subject to advance the leg; but where lacerated wounds involve only a part of the extensor apparatus of the foreleg, not so much inconvenience is evident, unless the wound is seriously infected and inflammation involves contiguous structures. Therefore, in many instances, lameness is more pronounced in contusions of the anterior brachial region than where tissues have been divided more or less keenly.
In every instance diagnosis is easily established. The injury is quite evident, and the manner of locomotion is not in itself an essential feature to be considered in a discussion of symptoms. Where a contusion of the anterior brachial structures occurs, there is, in addition to lameness, swelling which is painful because of the pressure occasioned by the heavy non-yielding brachial fascia. And where suppuration occurs, there is then an intensely painful condition which is not relieved until pus has been evacuated. Rather frequently, drainage for wound secretions is a difficult problem, and approximation of the divided ends of muscles is always difficult to maintain.
Treatment.—Contused wounds of the anterior brachial region are treated along usual lines; that is, attempt is made to stimulate prompt resolution. Hot or cold applications are employed throughout the acute stage of the affection. Complete rest is provided for until all pain has subsided. Later, stimulating liniments are beneficial.
Where no injury is done the periosteum or bone, complete resorption of all products of inflammation usually occurs, though in many instances, this is tardy—six weeks or more are sometimes required for recovery to take place.
If suppuration occurs, it is necessary to provide for drainage as soon as it is possible to distinguish the presence of pus. Due regard is given the manner of establishing drainage because of the usual existence of sub-fascial fistulae. In these cases, one avoids injecting solutions of aqueous antiseptics. By gently compressing the parts, pus is caused to drain out and in enforcing a moderate amount of exercise at a walk, when lameness is not intense, drainage is maintained. Cotton packs, moistened with hot antiseptic solutions, and kept around the forearm for several hours daily, are helpful because drainage is facilitated, and resolution is stimulated by the increase of blood thus attracted to the parts, and pain materially diminishes.