Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical correction of forelimb deformities in dogs using type 1b
By Deruddere, K J & Snelling, S R·Published in New Zealand veterinary journal·2014·a Advanced Vetcare, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A retrospective review of antebrachial angular and rotational limb deformity correction in dogs using intraoperative alignment and type 1b external fixation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 39 dogs with forelimb deformities, including issues like carpal valgus and rotational deformity, underwent surgery to correct their limb alignment. The procedure involved removing a portion of the radius and using an external fixator to stabilize the limb without extensive pre-surgical planning. After the surgery, most owners reported that their dogs had excellent to good limb function, with many dogs appearing straighter and tolerating the fixator well. While some dogs experienced minor infections at the pin sites, the overall results were promising, indicating that this technique could be a good option for correcting these types of limb deformities in dogs.
People also search for: dog forelimb deformity treatment · carpal valgus surgery in dogs · external fixator for dog limb correction
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to report the outcome of acute antebrachial angular and rotational limb deformity (AARLD) correction using a standard radial ostectomy, an unarticulated type 1b external skeletal fixator (ESF) and intra-operative alignment with no pre-operative planning. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed of dogs with carpal valgus, radial procurvatum and rotational deformity of the forelimb. All 39 cases presented and were treated surgically at a referral hospital in Melbourne, Australia, between September 2008 and March 2012. Surgical correction involved a standard closing cuneiform radial ostectomy, distal ulnar ostectomy and application of an unarticulated type 1b ESF. The method used intra-operative limb alignment and did not use pre-operative planning. Outcome was assessed via client phone interviews in all cases. Five cases were evaluated post-operatively using centre of rotation and angulation (CORA) methodology. RESULTS: As reported by owners of the 39 cases following surgery, limb function was excellent in 26 (67%), good in 12 (31%) cases and acceptable in one (2.5%) case. Frame tolerance was reported as good in 24 (62%), acceptable in 14 (36%) cases and poor in one (2.5%) case. Limb appearance was reported as straight in 25 (64%) cases and mildly rotated in 14 (36%) cases. In five cases that were evaluated, post-operative frontal and sagittal plane alignment ranged from 0-3.1° and 9.1-12.2°, respectively, and distal CORA was corrected to <6.1°. These were within the normal reported reference ranges. Pin tract infections were reported in seven (18%) cases CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELVANCE: This study suggests that the described technique may be an effective practice for the correction of AARLD that provides good clinical results, based on client assessment. The effectiveness of this technique was further supported by the five cases that underwent objective radiographic assessment. The technique is simpler than techniques that use extensive pre-operative planning, uses a smaller inventory and is easily applicable in companion animal practice.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24856307/