Femoral Head Fractures Resulting in Epiphyseal Fragmentation Results of Repair in Five Dogs

Abstract

Five mature dogs with fragmented femoral head fractures were treated. Fracture reduction was accomplished with lagged cortex screws and Kirschner wires or Smilley nails. Results were good or excellent in four dogs. Rigid internal stabilization, early surgical treatment, and reduced activity postsurgically are essential for proper healing of these fractures.

What Is Your Diagnosis?

“…Salter-Harris type III (as seen in this case) and IV fractures are rare. 1 Salter-Harris type III fractures are usually avulsion fractures with no comminution, where the round ligament remains attached to the small epiphyseal fragment. 1 Standard pelvic radiography may not allow for detection of fractures involving the hip joint because of superimposition of osseous structures or inadequate x-ray beam orientation through the fracture site.…”

Surgical Treatment of a Saggital Intraarticular Femoral Head Fracture with Coxofemoral Dislocation in Two Mature Dogs

“…The first is the craniolateral approach (Vernon and Olmstead 1983), and the second is ventral approach to the hip joint (L´Eplattenier and Montavon 1997). Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages with respect to the surgeon's ability to reduce and stabilize the fracture and to achieve a stable reduction of the dislocation.…”

“…Only a small number of papers have been published, which discuss the methods of treating this more complex injury (Vernon and Olmstead 1983;L´Eplattenier and Montavon 1997). If the fragment is larger than one-quarter of the femoral head, then the opportunity exists to reduce and stabilize the fracture with lag screws or with a combination of a lag screw and a small pin.…”

Salter‐Harris type III fracture of the proximal femoral physis in a puppy

“…Although Salter‐Harris type III and type IV fractures of the proximal femur have been described in dogs (Manfra Marretta and Schrader 1983, DeCamp and others 1989), the results of treatment have not been described in detail. Treatment of hip luxation associated with more complex fractures of the proximal femoral epiphysis has only been described in adult dogs (Vernon and Olmstead 1983, L'Eplattenier and Montavon 1997). Physeal avulsion fractures associated with hip luxation are best treated with open reduction and surgical stabilisation (Fox 1991).…”

“…Physeal avulsion fractures associated with hip luxation are best treated with open reduction and surgical stabilisation (Fox 1991). Large avulsion fracture fragments in adult dogs may be reconstructed with bone screws inserted for lag effect (Vernon and Olmstead 1983, L'Eplattenier and Montavon 1997). Femoral head and neck excision is necessary if internal fixation is not possible or has failed (Tillson and others 1996).…”