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Reasons for Performing Study: Wounds to the plantar aspect of the tarsus present a diagnostic and treatment challenge. This study was undertaken to describe specific features of traumatic wounds involving the calcaneal bursa, with a view to determining which clinical examination findings and diagnostic tests results could provide reliable indicators of prognosis., Objectives: To report clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome of 24 cases of septic calcaneal bursitis; and to determine the importance of the involvement of specific anatomical structures in relation to the prognosis for survival and return to athletic function., Methods: Records of 24 horses that had suffered traumatic wounds involving the calcaneal bursae were reviewed and divided into 3 groups, based on the bursa involved and presence or absence of involvement of the tuber calcanei. Clinical, diagnostic imaging and surgical findings were recorded for each case. Differences between groups and outcome were examined for significance with Chi-squared, Fisher's Exact or Kruskal-Wallis tests, as appropriate., Results: Wounds involving only the subcutaneous bursa had an excellent prognosis for survival. Seventy-five percent of horses with wounds involving the intertendinous calcaneal bursa survived. Involvement of the tuber calcanei presented a fair to guarded prognosis, with only 44% of horses with involvement of this structure surviving., Conclusions: In contrast to other studies of septic synovial structures, the time between initial injury and referral did not affect the outcome. Correct identification of invasion of the calcaneal bursa(e) and/or tuber calcanei in wounds to the plantar aspect of the tarsus allows for more accurate pronostication. Damage to the tuber calcanei presents a poorer prognosis than for cases that involve only the soft tissue structures in the region., Potential Relevance: This study demonstrates the importance of correct anatomical identification of structures involved in wounds in the region of the calcaneal bursa. The use of radiography, ultrasonography and synoviocentesis are essential in these cases to provide the most appropriate treatment for the horse and accurate prognosis for the owner.

Anecdotal evidence suggested that many cases of third tarsal bone (T3) fracture encountered clinically were associated with an abnormal shape to this bone. The radiographs of 10 normal horses and 10 horses affected with slab fracture of T3 were therefore examined to ascertain if any pre-existent radiological abnormality was present in cases of fracture. Measurement of the maximum and minimum width between the proximal and distal articular surfaces of the dorsolateral aspect of this bone was carried out on a standardised dorso-50 degrees medial-palmarolateral radiographic projection of the tarsus of each horse. To avoid artefacts produced by possible image magnification, ratios of these values were used for comparison between horses. The results showed that wedge shaped conformation of T3, in which the articular surfaces of the bone converge and then diverge again on the dorsolateral aspect, was over-represented in the population of horses sustaining T3 fracture when compared to controls. This information may be important in making judgements on the suitability of horses during prepurchase examination for racing.

A sagittal fracture of the navicular bone in five horses was treated by means of lag screw. Intra-operative radiographic monitoring and a specially developed guide apparatus was necessary to implant the screw precisely along the transverse axis of the navicular bone. Internal fixation resulted in progressive radiographic narrowing of the fracture zone. In all five patients the fracture healed (bony union) without superfluous callus formation.