Osteosynthesis

The most common fractures (broken bones) in horses occur in the long pastern bone, fetlock joint and elbow, as well as the jaw and skull. During osteosynthesis (Greek ostéon for ‘bone’ and synthesis for ‘put together’), the affected bones and/or fragments are put back together during surgery (reduced), so that these can correctly join with the introduced foreign material. Depending on the severity of the fracture and how healing progresses, your horse should be able to regularly use and exercise on their leg again after a suitable recovery period.