Outpatient treatment for humeral fractures in five calves

Abstract

Humeral fractures were treated in 5 calves using unilateral external fixation with epoxy putty fixator (type I). The surgeries were performed under sedation and analgesia, and it involved application of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block. The surgical procedures were completed in 60 to 90 min, and each calf was returned to the farm on the same day. The fixation allowed each calf to remain with the dam and suckle without strict stall rest and was removed 11 to 62 days post-surgery. The clinical sign of diminished radial nerve function disappeared 40 days to 4 months post-surgery. These observations suggest that this repair technique represents a feasible outpatient treatment for humeral fractures in calves.