Hypothesis 2-Fracture with infection and draining tracts

The metacarpus was fractured while the calf was being pulled with improperly placed chains.  The calf developed skin lesions either due to abrasions created by the chains or open sores caused by pressure necrosis from a tight bandage.  Either way the soft tissues of the limb became infected.  Over time the infection spread to deeper tissues including the bone and possibly the fetlock joint.  This would cause diffuse swelling and compromised blood flow.  The inflammatory reaction would cause an influx of neutrophils and inflammatory mediators that would compromise the function of the chondrocytes and osteoblasts inhibiting the ablity of the fracture to heal properly.  The fracture fragments may be necrotic due to loss of blood supply making them an ideal candidate for sequestration.  Bone healing can occur in the face of infection but only if adequate stability is achieved.  Unfortunately stability was not achieved in this case resulting is retarded fracture healing and an angular limb deformity.