Tibial fracture repair with angle-stable interlocking nailing in 2 calves

To report tibial fracture repairs with I-Loc angle-stable interlocking nails (AS-ILN) in 2 calves.

Clinical case reports.

One 5-day-old Holstein calf and one 3-month-old beefalo calf.

In a 50-kg Holstein calf, a proximal juxtametaphyseal comminuted tibial fracture with tibial tuberosity slab fracture was repaired with an 8-160-mm I-Loc nail and 2 cortical lag screws. In an 89-kg beefalo calf, a long oblique middiaphyseal tibial fracture was repaired with an 8-185-mm I-Loc nail and 5 double loop cerclage wires. In each case, an I-Loc AS-ILN was selected because unique biomechanical challenges precluded treatment with traditional osteosynthesis methods, such as external coaptation or plate fixation.

No complications were diagnosed, and clinical union was documented 4 weeks after surgery in both cases. Axial growth continued in both calves, with no evidence of angular limb deformity at 7- and 6-month follow-up.

This is the first report describing the use of the I-Loc nail in a bovine species. This application led to uncomplicated healing of tibial fractures and continued growth in both young calves described here.

Interlocking nailing may provide an effective and safe alternative for osteosynthesis of tibial fractures in young calves. Insertion of the AS-ILN across the center of the proximal tibial physis of a rapidly growing calf does not seem to alter its growth potential.