Bone Plating For Fracture Repair In Goats

Fractures have been described as the most common orthopedic problem in goats. Fractures in goats are commonly immobilized by using non-invasive external immobilization techniques such as splints, plaster of paris, fibre glass cast and various external fixation devices due to their economic and conservative nature. However, these methods have various demerits like mal-union, delayed union and non union, large callus formation, weakening of tendons, muscle atrophy and pressure sores, delayed weight bearing, interference with radiographic evaluation, slippage of plasters, softening of plaster cast and wetting of cast due to faulty management which ultimately leads to increase in expenses because of reapplication. The continually-evolving understanding of bone biology and the analysis of clinical complications have led to a modified approach to internal fixation. Biological osteosynthesis with bone plates is one of the most stable fixation techniques for neutralizing all the forces that commonly act on the fracture like compression, tension, shear, torsion and rotation. Bone plating improves the function of surrounding joints, decreases muscle atrophy by allowing early activity and provides an avenue for anatomic reduction of fracture, thus preventing "fracture disease". Evaluation of different implant materials has thrown some light on the development of different bone plates for fracture repair in goats. Various studies have been carried out in goats for fracture repair of long bones using different bone plates prepared from bovine horn, nylon, teflon, stainless steel, horn, xenogenous bone, polypropylene mesh impregnated poly methyl methacrylate plate, dynamic compression plate, veterinary cuttable plate, LC- DCP and locking plates. Further research studies may improve the techniques of application and development of newer biomaterials will help to adopt the most appropriate treatment, thus maximizing benefits and minimizing complications.