Manejo de fratura patológica de falange distal em equino :relato de caso

Abstract

Subsolear abscesses in horses are characterized as one of the most common causes of lameness. The infectious process can lead to bone tissue damage, and pathological fractures can be a consequence of osteomyelitis. Considering the relevance of these pathologies, the present work describes the clinical management of a case of pathological fracture of the distal phalanx in a horse, associated with osteomyelitis, treated at the University Veterinary Hospital of UFPB. Failure to diagnose early or inadequate treatment can worsen the condition, leading to serious complications and even euthanasia. The case reported involved a five-year-old, 340-kg male, crossbred horse with a history of lameness and wounds on the left forelimb. Clinical examination revealed grade IV lameness, swelling of the pastern, and ulcerated areas draining secretions. Imaging studies revealed changes consistent with osteomyelitis, a comminuted fracture of the distal phalanx, septic arthritis, and chronic joint degeneration. The established treatment was multimodal, involving anti-inflammatories (phenylbutazone, firocoxib, and paracetamol), complementary analgesia with morphine, dipyrone, and amitriptyline, in addition to systemic and regional antibiotic therapy (penicillin and amikacin). Joint lavage with ozonated solution, ozonated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, acupuncture, moxibustion, and rectal ozone insufflation were performed. The animal underwent corrective hoof trimming, with observation of a subsolaer abscess, which was treated with drainage and dressings. A therapeutic horseshoe was applied to the contralateral limb to prevent compensatory laminitis. After 56 days of follow-up, the horse showed significant improvement: healing of the lesions, absence of infectious signs, reduced lameness, and radiographic improvement of the bone process. The combined use of conventional and complementary therapies proved decisive for the recovery, allowing the patient to be discharged. The work reinforces the need for an integrated and multidisciplinary approach in the management of foot conditions in horses, highlighting that the therapeutic association was fundamental for the good prognosis of the animal studied.