Repair of a Longitudinal Scapular Fracture in a Horse JESSICA A. KIDD DVM, Diplomate ECVS, LUIS LAMAS BVSc, and FRANCES M.D. HENSON MA, Vet MB, PhD Objective—To report repair of a longitudinal scapular fracture in a horse. Study Design—Case report. Animals—A 2-year-old Paint Horse colt. Methods—A longitudinal scapular fracture was surgically repaired using four 4.5 mm dynamic compression plates. Results—An acute longitudinal scapular fracture repaired surgically returned the horse to sound- ness within 6 months. Conclusions—Internal fixation of longitudinal scapular fracture is possible with multiple 3–5 hole dynamic compression plates. Clinical Relevance—Longitudinal fractures of the scapula should be considered when there is lateral instability of the shoulder after trauma. A displaced fracture can be adequately stabilized by internal fixation with a reasonable prognosis for soundness. r Copyright 2007 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons INTRODUCTION S CAPULAR FRACTURES are uncommon in hors- es. 1,2 Most are supraglenoid tubercle fractures, 3 with transverse body 4 and neck fractures 5 reported less com- monly. We are only aware of 2 reported longitudinal scapular fractures; 1 was a chronic healed fracture in a 2-year-old retired for chronic lameness and 1 was in a 10-year-old horse who became sound 11 months after conservative treatment. 1 Recently, stress fractures of the caudoventral midbody have been recognized by scinti- graphy and ultrasonography. 6 Prognosis for scapular fracture depends on the loca- tion and configuration with those not involving the scapulohumeral joint having a better prognosis for soundness. 1 Successful conservative treatment of non- displaced scapular body fractures has been reported, 1 as well as successful internal fixation in 2 foals with trans- verse body 4 and neck 5 fractures. We report our experi- ence with surgical repair of an unstable, non-articular, longitudinal fracture of the body of the scapula in a 2-year-old Paint horse. CLINICAL REPORT A 2-year-old Paint horse colt was found non-weight- bearing on the right fore limb, with a dropped elbow and an inability to fix the triceps muscle. There was marked swelling over the scapula and crepitus was palpable and audible on manipulation of the scapula. Radiographs taken by the referring veterinarian were non-diagnostic and the horse was referred for scintigraphic investigation of the shoulder region. On admission 24 hours later, the horse was almost non-weightbearing on the right forelimb with apparent lateral displacement of the shoulder region. There was massive muscle swelling over the lateral and dorsal as- pects of the scapula and shoulder region, and palpable crepitus over the scapula. The right elbow was dropped and the colt was unable to fix the right triceps muscle to correct elbow position. When weightbearing on the af- fected limb, the scapulohumeral region moved outwards from the trunk but could be manually reduced to a nor- mal position without causing apparent distress. The distal aspect of the limb was not displaced abaxially. During Address reprint requests to Dr. Jessica Kidd, DVM, Diplomate ECVS, The Valley Equine Hospital, Upper Lambourn Road, Lambourn, Berkshire RG17 8QG UK. E-mail: jessicakidd1@aol.com. Submitted October 2006; Accepted February 2007 From the Equine Hospital, The University of Cambridge Veterinary School, Cambridge, UK. r Copyright 2007 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons 0161-3499/07 doi:10.1111/j.1532-950X.2007.00278.x 378 Veterinary Surgery 36:378–381, 2007