Talocalcaneal luxation in dogs was studied by anatomic dissection of the talocalcaneal joint in cadavers and review of five clinical cases. The integrity of the talocalcaneal joint was maintained by two strong ligaments traversing the tarsal sinus between the two bones. The joint was found to be a low motion joint. Luxation in clinical cases was not always apparent on standard radiographic views. Three dogs were treated surgically with a screw inserted in lag fashion from talus to calcaneus. One luxation was treated surgically with figure-of-eight orthopedic wires and one was treated with external coaptation. Four dogs returned to their previous levels of function without clinically detectable lameness.

Arthrodesis is the surgical fixation of a joint designed to accomplish fusion of the joint surfaces by promoting the proliferation of bone cells. This article considers indications for arthrodesis and techniques for arthrodesis of individual joints.

Autogenous cancellous bone was procured from the proximal ends of one humerus and the contralateral tibia of eight adult mixed-breed dogs. Greater weights of bone were consistently harvested from the humerus than from the tibia. Restoration of cancellous bone was more rapid and complete in the humerus than in the tibia. The tibia harvest site filled primarily with fibrous tissue rather than with cancellous bone.

Eight synthetic casting materials were evaluated with respect to tensile and fatigue strengths, exothermicity (evolution of heat during polymerization), permeability (porosity), radiolucency, and cost. Strength determination for a five‐layer sample included measurement of the ultimate load at which a material failed, the ability to absorb energy, and the stiffness a material possessed after application of a cyclic stress. Results indicated that Vet Cast was superior with respect to tensile and fatigue strengths. The exothermic reaction associated with the “curing” or polymerization process was evaluated and not considered excessive although Ultra Cast attained a temperature of 48.0°C and was uncomfortable to handle during application. Permeability was determined. Delta Lite and Hexcelite NS were the most permeable materials and dried more rapidly and thoroughly after immersion than the other casting materials. Hexcelite NS was considered the least radiolucent material and was the most expensive material studied. Each of the synthetic casting materials demonstrated superiority in one or more of the categories tested. No one product demonstrated consistent superiority in criteria appropriate for clinical application.