Antebrachial deformities in the dog: Treatment with external fixation

Abstract

The results of 12 dogs with antebrachial deformity treated by ulnar ostectomy, radial osteotomy and external skeletal fixation are presented. Postoperative complications were seen in only one dog; a delayed union requiring placement of autogenous cancellous bone graft at a second surgery to achieve healing. Postoperatively, owners reported limb function was good in almost all cases, although they were less pleased with the cosmetic appearance.

T‐Plate Fixation of Distal Radial Closing Wedge Osteotomies for Treatment of Angular Limb Deformities in 18 Dogs

“…Numerous methods have been used to stabilize the radial osteotomy; these include: external skeletal fixation, intramedullary pins, staples, standard plates and screws, and external coaptation 9–12,15,17 . Because of the limited amount of bone in the distal fragment, external skeletal fixation has been a preferred surgical technique to obtain fixation 12,17,18 …”

Radius and ulna fracture repair with the IMEX miniature circular external skeletal fixation system in 37 small and toy breed dogs: A retrospective study

“…Minor complications were defined as those handled without supplementary surgery whereas major complications required surgical revision. The functional and cosmetic results of the affected limb were graded from the medical records at the final re‐evaluation as previously described . An excellent outcome was assigned to limbs that were functionally normal and similar in appearance to the contralateral normal limb; a good outcome consisted of a slight lameness only after extensive exercise, or minor differences with the contralateral normal limb; a fair outcome was defined as a slight to moderate lameness with consistent weight bearing, or noticeable differences from the contralateral limb; limbs with a poor outcome were non‐weight bearing or markedly altered from the contralateral limb.…”

Comparative evaluation of pin-in-fiberglass cast and Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative in the management of radius-ulna fractures in dogs

“…Complications were considered to be minor if they were managed without additional procedures under general anesthesia, and were considered to be major if they required additional procedures or substantial modification under general anesthesia. The fixators were removed when the fractures were determined to have healed and the functional and cosmetic results were evaluated, and clinically graded as described by Fox et al (1995). They were graded as excellent if the limb is functionally normal and similar in appearance to the contralateral normal limb; good if the limb showed slight lameness only after extensive exercise, or minor difference from the contra lateral normal limb; fair if the limb showed slight to moderate lameness but consistent weight bearing, or noticeable difference from the contra lateral normal limb, or poor if the animal showed non-weight bearing lameness, or marked, disfigured alteration from the contralateral normal limb.…”