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Robin Näf 1, David Devaux 1, Andrea Bischofberger 2, Karl Nuss 3
Background
Acetabular fractures are rare but serious orthopedic injuries in cattle, traditionally considered to have a poor prognosis. These fractures typically result from trauma such as falls, especially in younger animals. Historically, recommendations for treatment often included euthanasia or slaughter due to anticipated complications like persistent lameness or dystocia. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic approaches, conservative management, and outcomes of acetabular fractures in cattle treated at a veterinary teaching hospital over an eight-year period.
Methods
Medical records from 2016 to 2024 were reviewed for cattle with radiographically confirmed acetabular fractures. Clinical assessments, imaging results (radiography and ultrasonography), fracture characteristics, and treatments were recorded. All cattle were managed conservatively, involving three months of stall rest and pain management. Follow-up information, including reproductive performance and long-term mobility, was collected through owner interviews, veterinary records, and the national livestock database.
Results
The study included 36 female cattle (mostly heifers, median age 13 months) with 37 fractures. Most were simple fractures; others involved additional fragments or were comminuted. Diagnosis was confirmed via oblique radiographic views and ultrasonography. Following conservative treatment, 86.1% of cattle were free of lameness after 3 months, increasing to 94.4% after 6 months. Callus formation indicative of healing was visible within 3–6 weeks. Twenty-seven cattle had calved, and of the 25 with available data, 96% experienced unassisted parturition. Twenty-one cows remained in production at the study's conclusion.
Limitations
This retrospective design may introduce selection and information bias. Diagnostic methods and treatment adherence may have varied over the study period. Outcome data relied in part on owner reports, which could be subjective. Additionally, the lack of a comparison group treated surgically or euthanized limits the ability to contrast outcomes across management strategies.
Conclusions
Acetabular fractures in cattle, particularly in younger animals, can heal successfully with conservative treatment, challenging the traditionally poor prognosis. With accurate diagnosis and appropriate stall rest and analgesia, long-term orthopedic and reproductive outcomes are favorable. These findings support conservative management as a viable standard of care for non-complicated acetabular fractures in cattle.
A 30°dorsolateral-ventrolateral oblique radiographic view of an acetabular fracture with ischial involvement in a 10-month-old, mixed-breed, dairy heifer. The acetabular and greater trochanter growth plates are visible. Yellow arrows indicate the course of the fracture from the ischium through the cranioventral acetabular growth plate. 1 = ilio-ischial (dorsal) part of the acetabular growth plate; 2 = ilio-pubic (cranioventral) part of the acetabular growth plate; 3 = growth plate of the greater trochanter (gt); of = obturated foramen; S = sacrum. The ischio-pubic (caudoventral) part of the growth plate is not discernible.
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