Surgical repair of a chronic traumatic injury of the right carpal joint in a juvenile hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

A free-ranging juvenile hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) presented to the rehabilitation centre with a chronic full thickness laceration of the right carpal joint, leaving the distal part of the flipper attached by only 2 cm of soft tissue. Open luxation of the carpal joint was noted on radiographs. Surgical reconstruction was elected despite extensive transection and osteo-articular damage. Soft tissues were debrided and sutured. A cerclage wire was used to improve bone apposition. A type II external skeletal fixator was placed to promote soft tissue healing and pseudojoint formation. The turtle adapted well to the external fixator. Osteolysis was documented on radiographs 4 weeks postoperatively, and lesions improved with florfenicol treatment. The fixator was removed 3.5 months after the procedure. A year postoperatively, the function of the operated limb was normal, and the turtle was released into the ocean.