Dorsal Slab Fracture of the Fourth Carpal Bone in a Racing Greyhound

Objective To report the diagnosis and surgical management of a dorsal slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone in a racing greyhound. Study Design Clinical report. Animal Three-year-old, male racing Greyhound. Methods The fracture was not visible on orthogonal radiographs and the diagnosis was made by computed tomography. Open reduction and internal fixation with 2 countersunk 2.0-mm screws inserted in lag fashion was performed via a dorsal approach. Outcome was analyzed objectively by comparing preinjury and postsurgery racing performances. Results Internal fixation resulted in fracture healing and the dog returned to racing recording times similar to those before injury. Conclusion Fractures of the fourth carpal bone may not be visible on standard orthogonal radiographic views and cross-sectional imaging may be required for more accurate identification. Surgical management was successful with the dog returning to preinjury levels of competition.