Stress Fracture of Cannon Bone

Dorsal Cortical Stress Fracture of Left Front Cannon Bone Case Study 2

This case concerns a 3 year-old thoroughbred graded stakes horse that was injured in late June while training at the track. He was sent to a layup/training facility where he would spend his time recovering before returning to training.

Radiographs were taken July 1, 2008, by Dr.Greg Bonen Clark, a prominent veterinarian and surgeon, where it was determined that he had suffered a dorsal cortical stress fracture of his left front cannon bone (see image one below). Dr. Bonen Clark then prescribed 30 days stall rest and therapeutic laser therapy to be performed by The Sanctuary.

The treatment protocol developed for this injury was to start with three consecutive days of laser treatment, followed by two weeks of treatment every other day, concluding with two weeks of treatments twice a week.

On July 29, 2008 Dr. Bonen Clark took radiographs of the leg again and concluded that with use of the laser, “in less than 30 days there was significant improvement of radiographic appearance of the fracture. These fractures normally take 90 days to heal.” (see image two below)

Image 1 – July 1, 2008
Image 2 – July 29, 2008

As of December 1, 2008 the horse is in full training and will be returning to the track within the week.

*Special thanks to Dr.Greg Bonen Clark of Bonen Clark Equine (352)304‐8976
*Images courtesy of Ferguson&Hammock Equine Hospital (352)622‐6199.