After reviewing the radiographs, the veterinarians proceeded with a transfixing pin cast. The cast extended from the foot to the hock. Two large pins were placed in the upper, proximal part of the cannon bone. After surgery, Polar Express spent many months at the teaching hospital receiving around-the-clock care to ensure his fracture was healing […]
After reviewing the radiographs, the veterinarians proceeded with a transfixing pin
cast. The cast extended from the foot to the hock. Two large pins were placed in the
upper, proximal part of the cannon bone.
After surgery, Polar Express spent many months at the teaching hospital receiving
around-the-clock care to ensure his fracture was healing correctly.
Because of the injury’s complexity and where it was sustained, it took the food animal
veterinarians and the surgery and sports medicine team to get the best possible outcome.
“The goal of the pin cast was to allow the bone to heal while minimizing the risk
of complications like infection at the pin sites,” Schoonover said.
“We showed up at the OSU teaching hospital about 4 a.m. and everyone was waiting for
us, excited to help save Polar’s life,” Sterk said.
“We talked on the phone about what needed to be done and what would be the best options
for transportation,” Jones said. “Dr. Halleran knew what needed to be done and what
we would want.”
Monday, January 13, 2025
The bull returned home after many months of healing to finish recovering. He is now
living on the South Dakota ranch and getting stronger every day.
“We showed up at the OSU teaching hospital about 4 a.m. and everyone was waiting for
us, excited to help save Polar’s life.”
Media Contact:
Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu
After wrapping up an excellent NFR in 2023, Polar Express was purchased by Jason and
Chase Sterk of Sterk Bucking Bulls, located in Irene, South Dakota. The bull was going
full force into 2024, but as he was bucking at a PBR event in South Carolina, he sustained
an injury to his left hind leg that would put his career on hold.
Because of his condition, Jones encouraged Sterk to haul Polar Express to the North
Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. There, they would work alongside Jones
to stabilize the bull’s leg to make the long drive to Oklahoma safely.
That’s what elite bucking bulls look forward to during every event.
The transfixion pin cast integrates the pins into the cast itself. This redistributes
the weight away from the leg and fracture area, allowing the bone to heal as the cast
bears the weight directly.
“After the stay at the OSU hospital, Polar came out a different bull,” Sterk said.
“They spoiled him and now he loves scratches. Thank you from the bottom of my heart;
the whole process was top-notch, and we can’t thank you enough.”
During his short stay in Raleigh, Polar Express was seen by Dr. Jennifer Halleran,
assistant professor, who completed her large animal internal medicine residency at
OSU. Due to her history with the OSU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, she was
knowledgeable about injured bucking bulls.
— Chase Sterk, Sterk Bucking Bulls
Following numerous X-rays and checking the pins, they slowly began removing them.
When all the pins were removed, the cast was replaced. During the healing process,
Polar Express had many cast changes to ensure the fracture and the open wound were
healing correctly.
“I got a phone call late that night saying we are headed your way with a bucking bull
that has sustained a fracture coming out of the bucking chutes; we are going to bring
him straight there,” said Dr. Meredyth Jones, former Oklahoma State University College
of Veterinary Medicine professor.
After arriving, new X-rays were taken and the rodeo athlete’s initial bandage was
changed. He then spent the day resting while the team got its next steps together.
After X-rays and wrapping his leg in a bandage, Halleran successfully stabilized it
and Polar Express was on a trailer headed to Stillwater. Awaiting his arrival, Dr.
Michael Schoonover, associate professor in equine surgery and sports medicine, and
his team reviewed the radiographs that Halleran took and started a game plan.
“On Monday morning, the equine surgical team had a plan and was ready to perform the
surgery,” Schoonover said.
Photos By: Taylor Bacon
Between the time he got in the chute and when they opened the gate, Polar Express
injured his left hind metatarsal bone, just above the ankle. The on-site veterinarians
took immediate action and decided he would need more extensive care.
Polar Express is no exception as he is known for his extraordinary appearances at
the National Finals Rodeo and multiple Professional Bull Riders Association events.
Eight seconds of fame.
