Osteosynthesis of long bones in birds: Review

Abstract

Bones are key components of the locomotor system, in addition to the function of supporting and protecting adjacent tissues and organs. Trauma is the biggest disease that occurs in birds, representing about 20% of all cases of animals treated, where the fracture is more noted, with long bones being the most prevalent, mainly humeral and tibiotarsal. It is notorious to evaluate the animal for the following clinical signs: local pain, angular deformity of the limb, abnormal bone mobility, local edema, functional impotence of the limb, lameness and local crackling. In birds, the main treatments recommended for orthopedic conditions are the use of bandages, intramedullary pins, external fixators and rest in a cage. Due to the small size and the thin and light constitution of the bones, the use of bone plates is rare, being used only in specific cases of fractures. Traumatic disorders in birds, especially fractures, have become increasingly common in the veterinarian's routine and require therapeutic intervention. However, few professionals risk taking such procedures, due to the existence of different physical and physiological characteristics of this class, lacking great anatomical knowledge and basic principles of general orthopedic surgery.