Changes

==Signalment==  

==Signalment==  

It is most commonly seen in horses between '''four''' and '''seven''' years of age. Injury most commonly occurs during '''high intensity exercise''', therefore '''performance horses''' such as thoroughbreds are most commonly affected. Splint bone fractures are thought to occur as a result of ''stresses'' placed on the '''splint bone''' by the adjacent '''suspensory ligament'''. It has been suggested that, during hard exercise, the suspensory ligament snaps back against the relatively fixed small metacarpal or metatarsal bones, causing the distal part of the bone to fracture.

It is most commonly seen in horses between '''four''' and '''seven''' years of age. Injury most commonly occurs during '''high intensity exercise''', therefore '''performance horses''' such as thoroughbreds are most commonly affected. It is thought to be caused by the '''suspensory ligament''' (which lies adjacent to the splint bone) placing '''stresses''' on the '''bone''' causing a fracture. Fracture of the distal splint bone occurs during hard exercise when the suspensory ligament snaps back against the comparatively fixed metacarpal or metatarsal bones.

==Clinical Signs==  

==Clinical Signs==  

The horse may present with a '''low level''' of '''lameness''' that may only be apparent at faster gaits. '''Pain''' or '''swelling''' may be apparent on palpation of the fracture. Although the fracture is unlikely to heal by bony union, the fibrous tissue or callus that forms does not tend to cause any long-term problems. This callus may be visible if the injury is old.

The horse may present with a '''low level''' of '''lameness''' that may only be apparent at faster gaits. '''Pain''' or '''swelling''' may be apparent on palpation of the fracture. Normally the fracture does not heal by bony union, instead a '''fibrous tissue''' or '''callus''' forms, which may be visible on clinical exam if the injury is old. This does not tend to cause any long-term problems.

The adjacent suspensory ligament branch may have been sprained or even ruptured at the time of the fracture. This can cause a persistant lameness, and severe damage to the ligament can cause pain, swelling and dropping of the fetlock joint.

'''Damage''' to the adjacent '''suspensory ligament''' may have occurred at the time of the fracture. This can cause a '''persistant lameness''', and severe damage to the ligament can cause pain, swelling and dropping of the fetlock joint.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==