Repair of a longitudinal scapular fracture in a horse.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Surgical Repair of Longitudinal Scapular Fracture Longitudinal scapular fractures represent a challenging injury that can compromise shoulder stability, yet surgical repair options remain poorly documented in equine practice. This case report documents successful stabilisation of an acute longitudinal fracture in a 2-year-old Paint Horse colt using four 4.5 mm dynamic compression plates applied via open surgical approach. The horse achieved full soundness within six months post-operatively, demonstrating that despite the anatomically complex nature of the scapula, internal fixation with multiple plates can provide adequate load-bearing stability across the fracture line. Clinically, the authors emphasise that lateral shoulder instability developing acutely after trauma warrants radiographic investigation for longitudinal fracture patterns, which may otherwise be overlooked in favour of soft tissue diagnoses. For practitioners managing young performance horses with shoulder trauma, this case provides evidence that displaced longitudinal scapular fractures need not be career-ending injuries when appropriate surgical expertise and fixation techniques are available.

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Key Findings

• •A 2-year-old Paint Horse with an acute longitudinal scapular fracture was successfully repaired using four 4.5 mm dynamic compression plates.
• •The horse returned to soundness within 6 months post-operatively.
• •Multiple 3–5 hole dynamic compression plates can effectively stabilize longitudinal scapular fractures.

Conditions Studied