Fourteen Spaniels that presented with an intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus were managed using a lateral plate and an additional pin in twelve cases. Fixation of the fracture was achieved using a plate applied laterally which incorporated the transcondylar lag screw in the most distal hole. Of the 14 cases, two had poor results, one of which was a bilateral case, whilst the remaining 12 cases had good or very good results with only occasional stiffness or lameness. Finite element (FE) modelling of a distal humerus was generated, and loading of fracture repairs using a lateral plate and caudal plate was completed in a comparative study to determine which fixation method resisted micro-motion most effectively. Finite element analysis revealed that the lateral plate fixation provided significantly more resistance to micro movement at the fracture site that the caudal plate fixation, with 40% more micro-motion in the latter.

No abstract

Using the MCOP has produced promising preliminary results in this study and warrants further evaluation.

The current literature recommends that the surgical approach to the scapular neck is by osteotomy of the acromion process, which is unnecessary in the authors' opinion as it increases surgical trauma, operating time and the number of implants required.