Avian Orthopedics (Page 3)
 While bone grafts and similar procedures are used in avian patients, stainless steel pins are used more commonly to reduce, i.e., repair, the fracture site. The size of these metallic devices varies from sewing needle thickness to those with the diameter of a pencil lead or thicker.
Figure 3 shows a radiograph of a tibiotarsal fracture in a Scarlet Macaw. This angle has us looking at the leg from the side. One can immediately see that somehow the knee bone, top, is definitely not connected, via "shin bone", to the ankle bone. Now there are darn few bandages you can put on a bird with the talents of a macaw with much hope of their staying in one piece for long. Add to this the relatively large amount of weight placed on the splint and one starts to think that a Band-Aid is just not quite enough. So down the hollow center of this leg bone we surgically inserted a stainless steel pin. This can be seen as a solid white pointed fat line in figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a head on view while figure 5 is taken from the same perspective as figure 3.   On occasion this procedure can be accomplished closed, in other words, no incision is made except to permit introduction of the pin. Most cases, however, require that the surgeon delicately incise the skin then separate the muscle to expose the bone fragments. Throughout the entire procedure from initial cut, in through alignment and pinning of the fragments, and finally suturing the paper thin skin back together, the surgeon must avoid blood loss as much as possible since these tiny patients can measure their blood volume in drops. Then too, one must be certain the patient is sufficiently anesthetized to permit rapid progress in the surgery but not so deeply "asleep" that he dies from respiratory or cardiac failure or even hypothermia. We can realize that here are decided risks involved in such surgery but fortunately veterinary techniques have progressed to the point where the surgical risks can be minimized. Please, do not hesitate to question your doctor as to what the pros and cons or surgery might be. After the bone pinning your doctor may elect to place an external splint either for additional support or to protect the surgery site.
Birds heal remarkably fast so in a few weeks the splint will be removed of the pin pulled out (under an anesthetic). A measure of tender loving care from you and Polly will be back skating. Let me reemphasize that this article is not an in-depth text on every aspect of fracture repair in avaian species. Please discuss all your questions and expectations ("Will he soar with the eagles, Doc?") before choosing any options. |
