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I have a question, maybe you can answer it. I looked at the x-ray of all the "screws" used in the surgery. If the horse should live and everything is successful as could be expected, will all those screws be left by doctors where they are presently.

I ask this because there are a number of the screws that are basically in a vertical position and hold different bones together. It seems that the horse would have little or no ability to bend its ankle area if he should survive if those screws remained.

I was wondering if these "vertical" pins or screws would be permanent.

It would be more than wonderful if the horse would just survive through all this, but I was wondering about his ability to walk well enough.

Just wondering.

I'll respond to my best guess and based on my own history.

All of the pins/screws will remain permanently in place as they are strategically placed to maintain the permanent fusion. The only time any of them would be removed is if they were to 'come loose' in some way.

My dog was hit by a car, had surgery with screws in his hip and we had to watch during the healing process for the feeling of the screws to see if they'd start to not feel as flat along the bone.

My neck has screws and a titanium rod and the neuro watched that as I was healing.

Both dog and I still have all of our hardware.

That's the plan. Their plan is to permanently fuse the ankle. It's the only way to get it stable enough. He will probably walk with a little hitch in his getalong, but hopefully it will heal quickly and strong this way.

Not 100% on this but I suspect some screws may be removed and a few may remain.. I know a couple folks who have had them left in after surgery, a lot of it may depend on their palcement and potential to re-aggravate the affected area.

His galloping days are over, but ya never know, he is young yet and may heal well enough that he may be able to lope around. He and the jockey did a good job of stopping when the injury occurred, this could have been worse were a rupture of skin or vessel to have happened..

I imagine the screws are all intended to remain where they are. Looks like they have decided to fuse the ankle joint. Assuming no infection sets in and he is mobile enough to avoid pneumonia (and maintain enough circulation to promote bone and tissue mending), Barbaro should be able to walk well enough to graze and to mate. But he will have a long and difficult recovery.

It's amazing that such large and powerful animals can be so fragile.

PS: I still "wear" titanium plates and screws which were used to mend a damaged shoulder 33 years ago.

Also, I severely stubbed my middle toe a few years ago. The toe joint became very swelled and black-and-blue. I was surprised when my doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. When I asked why, he told me that, due to typically poor circulation in this area, blood and tissues could become infected and the body might not be able to effective "clear it out", which could produce blood poisoning, possibly leading to death.

He said to take the medication and, if the pain started traveling up my leg, to get th the emergency room ASAP! Talk about scary stuff.