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

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

Study Design: Clinical case reports.

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

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Clinical Significance: 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.