Use of a circular external skeletal fixator to treat comminuted metacarpal and tibial fractures in six calves

Clinical Application and Evaluation of Specialised Ring Fixators for the Management of Upper and Lower Limb Bone Fractures in Dogs

“…Essentially two-orthogonal radiographs were taken in all 9 cases of fractured limb. Clinical signs like status of weight bearing on the affected limb, soft tissue swelling, wounds (in compound fractures), pain and crepitus on palpation at the site of fracture were observed in all the nine cases According to Bilgili et al, [14] Dwivedi et al, [4] Dwivedi et al, [32]. No neurological deficit was observed in any case.…”

“…and were found providing good stability till removal except in one case (C3). Bilgili et al, [14] used 2 complete circular rings and 1 partial ring for 3 ring construct in their study for lower limb bones and found good stability. In our study, modifications and fabrications in the constructs were required as applied and evaluated by Yardimci et al,[31] In a study, 6 cases of compound radius-ulna and tibia fractures were stabilized by aluminium based Ilizarov's ring fixator and all the 6 cases were stabilised with two full and one 5/8 th partial ring construct (Dwivedi et al, [4].…”

“…Complete gross anatomy of affected bones was examined and safe corridors were determined for safe pin penetration according to previous studies [33,34]. Bilgili et al, [14].…”

“…Similarly, Dwivedi et al, [4] used aluminium circular rings for management of compound radius-ulna and tibia fractures in dogs. Bilgili et al [14] used circular rings composed of ETAL-74 (94.5% aluminium, 1.5% magnesium, 4.5% copper) for the fixation of tibia and radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Yardemci et al, [27] Yardemci et al, [31] used semicircular rings made-up of carbon fibres and found good stability (because of light weight of rings) for management of upper limb bone fractures in dogs which were tolerated well throughout the healing period.…”

“…Most common indication of ESF is open and severely infected fractures [6] especially in large or giant dog breeds [7] where other surgical technique is difficult to use successfully [8] and Bernarde et al, [9]. Broadly ESF has been classified as linear, circular and hybrid technique [10] Aronsohn, [11] Heras-Jimenez et al, [12] Beveer et al, [13] Majority of ESF-technique [14] are usually applied to manage lower limb bone fractures in dogs [15] and Rao et al, [16] and the main reason behind is ease of application [17] without much hindrance [18]. However linear fixtors can be used in any long bone [19] even with articulation with circular ring [20] and Cheong et al, [21] but in previous literature there are restrictions for use of circular fixtors [22].…”