Surgical repair of an unicortical condylar fracture in a Thoroughbred racehorse using a bioabsorbable screw

Abstract Surgical repair of unicortical fractures of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bones (MCIII/MTIII) has been described. In the present case, a bioabsorbable screw was used to stabilize a unicortical fracture in the palmar aspect of the medial condyle of MCIII in a National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorse. The clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings before and after surgery were recorded. Eighteen weeks after surgery, the lameness had resolved and the bone surrounding the fracture had recovered its normal architecture. One year after surgery, the horse was in training, showed no recurrence of the primary lesion and was considered a “racing prospect” by the trainer. The use of a bioabsorbable screw in this case was associated with a successful outcome and is worthy of further investigation.