Poor performance in athletic horses due to musculoskeletal affections is very common in Libya. Two mature thoroughbred horses suffering from poor performance and history of moderate degree forelimb lameness were admitted to the Aswany Private Equine clinic in Tripoli, Libya. The study is aiming for presenting a simple, time effective, cost effective surgical procedure to treat distal simple splint bone fracture in thoroughbred horses. Horses were examined thoroughly for the common muscle, hoof, and tendons affections. A progressed unilateral left forelimb swelling involving the lateral distal part of the fourth metacarpal bones was noticed. Three radiographs were taken to each horse including latero- medial, dorsolateral-palmaromedial, and palmarolateral-dorsomedial views to assess both splint bones. The radiographs showed that there is a complete fracture involving the distal extremity (button) of the fourth metacarpal bones. Surgical excisions of the fractured part of the splint bones have been decided to treat these horses. To precisely locate the site of the bone fragments, 1.5 mm stainless steel wires were placed over the distal part of splint prior to taking the radiographs. The surgical sites were aseptically prepared, and the horses were then sedated via intravenous injection of xylazine at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg body weight. The site of surgical incision was infiltrated with 2% lidocaine. The bone fragments were then removed after performing the surgical incision. The sharp end at the distal end of the proximal part of the splint bone was then smoothening with a scissor. The surgical incisions were then routinely closed and the post-operative care and radiographs were taken. The surgical incision made complete healing within two weeks. Both horses were followed up for up to three years post-operation, and they did well compared to what has been done in other studies. We concluded that the surgical technique used to treat the two horses with splint bone fracture enrolled in the current study is a simple and effective procedure. arabic 19 English 106
Mohamed H. Abushhiwa, Osma K Sawesi, Khaled A. Milad, Aiman. A. Shalgum, Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib(9-2019)

Several reports have discussed possible bony morphological causes of fetlock pathology but without relating them to its morphometry. Radiographic measurement is widely used in constructing numerical databases of bone morphometry. Such measurements would not be reliable unless all factors affecting the radiographs were considered. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a specific dorsopalmar view (DP) for fetlock radiographic measurements, and then to develop reliable and repeatable fetlock parameters that represent fetlock conformation on those DP radiographs. Ten cadaveric forelimbs from ten adult horses were cut at the distal third of the radius and mounted in a normal posture for DP radiography. Specific features on fetlock bones were used as landmarks to identify the DP at zero degrees. Other bony features were selected as landmarks for developing fetlock parameters on these radiographs. Twenty-seven parameters were designed in the form of angles (12) and ratios (15). The repeatability and consistency of each parameter was tested. A specific fetlock DP view was determined at zero degrees based on certain landmarks. All angular and ratio parameters showed high reliability and consistency in their measurements. The established parameters provide an opportunity to test the relationship between fetlock morphometrics and performance, or the likelihood of certain pathologies.
Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib, Aiman Hussein Saleh Oheida, Mohamed Hamrouni S. Abushhiwa, Helen M S Davies(3-2019)

The forelimb fetlock joint and its bony components are a common site of injury in racing horses. We hypothesized that the variations in relative density of these bones might correspond to their mechanical properties. This study aimed first to identify the relative density of third metacarpal bone (Mc3), proximal phalanx (P1) and proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) of Thoroughbred race horses. Second, to determine whether there was any difference and/or similarity in the relative density between and within the bones. Bones from right and left forelimbs of 10 horses were collected and prepared by boiling and drying. Dry weight and volume for each bone were measured and the relative density was then calculated. Relative density of Mc3 was substantially greater than the other two bones with a mean of 1.7 ± 0.06. Relative density of P1 and PSBs showed a high similarity especially between P1 and the medial PSBs. Neither the comparisons between right and left sides nor between lateral and medial PSBs showed any significant differences. P1 had the most consistent relative density within right and left sides. Larger relative density in Mc3 and the similarity between P1 and PSBs presume a more important role of the bone mass on their properties than the volume.
Abdulrhman Mohamed Salah Alrtib, Aiman Hussein Saleh Oheida, Ali Omar Alarif Boker, Aiman Abdulghader Salim Shalgum, Helen M S Davies(12-2018)