Fixation of metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in greyhounds

Over a 6-year period a total of 23 greyhounds and 10 dogs of other breeds were presented with metacarpal and metatarsal fractures. While in other breeds trauma was the usual cause, in greyhounds the injuries were stress or fatigue fractures. In the greyhounds the fractures occurred mainly in young dogs and were often comminuted. Fifteen cases involved the fifth metacarpal bone of the left foreleg. The fractures were managed by either external immobilisation (8 cases) or internal fixation, mainly with lag screws (14 cases). Of 16 dogs which recovered sufficiently to be trialled, 6 were retired due to poor performance, 2 suffered further fractures and 4 raced in less than 10 races each. Four dogs entered in more than 10 races each won 23 of a total of 109 starts.