Femoral Angular Correction and Lengthening in a Large‐Breed Puppy Using a Dynamic Unilateral External Fixator

Abstract

Acute angular correction and progressive rapid-rate callus distraction using a unilateral dESF allowed satisfactory treatment of combined distal femoral valgus and length deficit in a large-breed puppy.

Corrective osteotomy for procurvatum deformity caused by distal femoral physeal fracture malunion stabilised with String‐of‐Pearls locking plates: results in two dogs and a review of the literature

“…Other deformities, including femoral shortening, frontal plane malalignment and rotational malalignment, were present in 5 of 9 dogs. Neither of our two dogs had patellar luxation, as frontal plane alignment was minimally affected by the trauma; however, patellar luxation has been previously noted in three dogs with concurrent varus or valgus femoral deformity . Clinical outcome was variable among the 9 dogs and appeared to be dependent on the complexity of the initial deformity.…”

“…Distal femoral physeal fractures can result in complex deformities of the femur. Surgical correction of distal femoral physeal fracture malunion has been previously reported in seven dogs . When including our two cases, 7 of 9 dogs had caudoproximal angulation of the epiphyseal segment that was limiting stifle extension.…”

“…The corrective osteotomies improved the functional length of the affected femur in both dogs. Femoral shortening has been reported in every case of distal femoral physeal fracture malunion and in four cases the dogs were treated with distraction osteogenesis using external skeletal fixation . In an experimental study, unilateral shortening of the femur by 20% in normal dogs did not impair short‐term limb function; however, others have suggested that overall hindlimb length discrepancies of greater than 10% are poorly tolerated .…”

Corrective wedge ostectomy for an atypical femoral procurvatum deformity stabilised with a supracondylar bone plate

“…Malunion of distal femoral physeal fractures can result in complex deformities of the distal femur requiring technically challenging corrective osteotomies. Surgical correction of these deformities is infrequently reported but is of paramount importance in correcting the femoropatellar and femorotibial joint incongruity (DeTora & Boudrieau 2016; Kim & Lewis 2014; Kuipers von Lande & Worth 2010; Lewis et al 1993; Petazzoni & Palmer 2012; Roch & Gemmill 2008).…”

“…Surgical management of cases with various angular limb deformities resulting from malunited distal femoral physeal fractures are infrequently described. Their management involves corrective osteotomies and surgical stabilisation using hybrid and/or dynamic external skeletal fixators, reconstruction plates, String of Pearls locking plates or supracondylar bone plates (Coutlin et al 2013; Kim & Lewis 2014; Kuipers von Lande & Worth 2010; Lewis et al 1993; Petazzoni & Palmer 2012; Roch & Gemmill 2008). The surgical technique can be challenging as the small size and natural procurvatum of the distal fragment limit the amount of bone available for appropriate fixation (Kim & Lewis 2014).…”