INTRODUCTION
Scapular fractures are uncommon in horses (Adams and Nixon, 2019; Dyson,
1985; Auer and Furst, 2017). Fractures may involve the supraglenoid
tubercle, neck, spine, body, and glenoid cavity (Adams and Nixon, 2019;
Richardson and Ortvet, 2022). These fractures are usually caused by
traumatic processes or stress fractures in race breeds (Thoroughbreds
and Quarter Horses). The latter may evolve into comminuted catastrophic
fractures (Auer and Furst, 2017).
The distribution of shoulder fractures generally includes horses less
than two years of age due to the presence of the physis between the
supraglenoid tubercle and the neck of the scapula. An overload of
tension at the attachment of the biceps brachii and coracobrachialis
tendons to the supraglenoid tubercle makes this the most common site for
fracture of the shoulder (Auer and Furst, 2017; Fortier, 2019;
Richardson and Ortvet, 2022).
Fractures involving the supraglenoid tubercle and the neck of the
scapula are identified with routine radiographic projections of the
shoulder (Adams and Nixon, 2019, Dyson, 1985). Due to the amount of
superimposition of soft tissue and thoracic structures with the proximal
thoracic limb, other methods of imaging, such as ultrasonography and
nuclear scintigraphy, have been used to diagnose fractures involving the
body and spine of the scapula (Vallance et al, 2009; Richardson and
Ortvet, 2022).
Conservative management of scapular body fractures not involving the
glenoid cavity has been described (Dyson, 1985). Kidd et al described a
longitudinal fracture of the body of the scapula in a 2-year-old Paint
horse with successful surgical treatment (Kidd et al, 2007).
The aim of this case report is 1) to describe a novel radiographic
projection, a dorsal 45° lateral‐ventral lateral oblique, which is used
to image the body of the scapula and 2) to describe the outcome of
conservative management of a longitudinal scapular body fracture.