46 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



severe injury, such as a kick, when the fracture is usually comminuted. 

 One or other of the condyles is occasionally fractured. When 

 the fracture affects the external condyle, the bellies of the extensor 

 muscles are let down, with the result that the joints below the elbow are 

 held in a condition of flexion. The weight of the muscles causes a 

 downward displacement of the fractured piece of bone. Similarly the 

 flexors are relaxed when the internal condyle is fractured, and the joints 

 below the elbow are abnormally extended during progression, so that the 

 animal has the appearance of being calf-kneed. 



If the fracture be a severe one, treatment is scarcely to be advised. 

 The only available treatment is to sling the animal and procure rest for 

 the part as far as possible. When portions are broken off the upper end 

 of the bone, a charge applied over the part will assist in maintaining the 

 broken pieces in position. Treatment of fractured condyles is not very 

 hopeful, and it is rarely that the animals are of much use afterwards. 

 Should it be decided to sling the patient, the muscles of the forearm 

 may be kept up in position by bandaging the limb from the coronet 

 to the elbow. The bandage supports the weight of the muscles, and 

 relieves the " pull " on the fractured condyles. 



THE RADIUS 



This is along bone occupying an almost vertical position between the 

 elbow and knee joints. It is much the larger of the two bones of the 

 forearm, and is slightly curved in its length. The anterior surface of its 

 shaft is clothed by the extensor muscles of the metacarpus and digit. Near 

 the superior extremity of the bone, and towards its inner side, this surface 

 presents a roughened elevation with a somewhat circular base. This is 

 the bicipital tuberosity to which the tendon of insertion of the biceps 

 muscle is attached. Inferiorly this surface shows two vertical grooves 

 and an oblique one through which the tendons of the extensor metacarpi 



