Use of cross pins and temporal external skeletal fixator for stabilization of a tibial physeal fracture in a korean native calf

A one-month-old, male Hanwoo calf was presented to Chonbuk Animal Medical Center with non-weight bearing lameness on its right hindlimb. The radiograph and CT scan showed a Salter-Harris III fracture at the distal tibia. Following open reduction, the fracture was stabilized by cross-pins. A temporal external skeletal fixator was used as an additional support for 5 weeks. 5 weeks after surgery, bone fracture had successfully healed with no complication. At 2 years after surgery, the calf could walk almost normally although intermittent weight-bearing lameness after active exercise. This is a rare case that the combined use of temporal external fixation and cross-pins fixation was sufficiently effective for treating a distal tibial physeal fracture in a calf.