Surgical management of femur fracture by stack pinning in a calf

Abstract

An eight-month-old Kangeyam female calf was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, with a history of falling during grazing on the previous day, resulting in difficulty walking. Orthopedic examination of the right hind limb revealed non-weight-bearing lameness, swelling in the femoral region, pain on palpation, and crepitation at the midshaft. Radiographic examination confirmed an unstable comminuted fracture of the right femur. Due to significant swelling in the thigh region, medical management was initiated on the day of presentation with Flunixin Meglumine (@ 1.1 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) for pain relief. Once the swelling subsided, retrograde stack pinning was planned and performed under general anesthesia. Postoperatively, the calf was administered antibiotics, NSAIDs, and antihistamines, and the surgical wound was regularly dressed with antiseptic ointments until complete healing. Sutures were removed on the 14th day, and the pin was removed on the 35th day. The calf exhibited an uneventful recovery.