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In this Episode:
Series 1 Episode Guide:
Super Vets
Magnum, a 10 year -old thourobred was found in his paddock extremely lame and so a vet was called immediately to the scene. Upon first inspection the vet found a kick wound (probably caused by one of the other horses in Magnum's paddock) over Magnum's elbow and also that he was unable to bear weight on the leg. It was feared that Magnum might have a broken leg and so the vet arranged a referral to the Sefton Equine Hospital at the Royal Veterinary College.
Examination at the RVC confirmed the vet's suspicions. Radiographs taken to assess the extent of the damage showed that the olecranon was fractured. This is equivalent to the part of the human elbow that would be called the ‘funny bone'. It is one of the few fractures of the upper limb of a horse that is sometimes possible to repair. 
Most upper limb fractures require the immediate and humane destruction of the horse because it is not technically possible to repair these fractures and unacceptable to allow the horse to continue to suffer. The risks and costs of attempting surgery on a fracture are considerable. And if the horse struggles when recovering from anaesthesia or slips or falls within in the first two months after surgery, then even a technically perfect repair can fail. The fracture in Magnum's "elbow" was not a simple one - the bone was broken into several pieces and some of these were very small. However, the chance for success was helped because the bone fragments were non-displaced i.e., the broken ends of the bones had not moved far apart.
The skin wound caused by the kick will also need repaired - the damaged tissue carefully was removed and the edges sutured together. With a kick wound there is always a risk that small pieces of dirt could be forced deep into the wound. If dirt is left in a wound this might cause the fracture to become infected, and this could be disastrous for Magnum.
Magnum had an 12 hole plate used to repair his fractured oleceronon. The 12 screws were between 30 and 80 mm ( 1 ¼ - 3 ¼ inches) in length. Every effort was made to ensure that Magnum had a quiet recovery from anaesthetic. Ropes were attached to his head and tail to steady him as he arose as due to his size and weight if he struggled there would be no way to safely restrain him. Thankfully, Magnum recovered quietly and smoothly from his anaesthetic and stood up well at his first attempt.
Magnum's initial recovery from surgery was uneventful. Despite pain relief he was quite stiff and so physiotherapy was started soon after surgery to try and reduce the stiffness and increase his use of the leg. He was discharged from hospital for an extended period of rest. A few days after getting home Magnum was cast (stuck on his side unable to stand) in his stable. When he did get to his feet he was unwilling to use his leg. For this visit, a portable the x-ray machine was brought to Magnum. Thankfully, the radiographs showed that the fracture repair had not been damaged by the new injury and with more rest, pain relief and physiotherapy Magnum should recover well.
''Absolutely gobsmaked that he is still on 4 legs, I am amazed that anything could even be done for him''
Magnum's owner
