Clinical history A 5 year old Dutch warmblood mare presented with a suspected lameness in the left hind limb. Four radiographs were made of the affected metatarsophalangeal joint and the opposite leg as well. Affected limb Radiographic diagnosis The complete study of the fetlock joint shows the apical fracture from the lateral proximal sesamoid bone. The fracture fragment appears to have a smooth border and does not have a surface that fits the fracture bed. The fracture bed is concave and well define. These changes indicates bony modeling after the injury and suggest that the fracture is chronic. The fracture fragment distracts, probably the result of a pull from the suspensory ligament. Soft tissue swelling medial and lateral is only minimal. Coments Note the value of the oblique views in confirmation of the fracture, its location and appearance of the fragment. A flexed lateral view is of value to more fully understand the potential injury to the joint space between the proximal sesamoid bones and the distal metatarsal bone. Comparison of the injured and normal joint Ultrasound examination The suspensory ligament on the affected limb was thought to be normal on ultrasound examination.
