Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Delayed healing and bone healing problems in 442 dog fractures
By Marshall, William George et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2022·Small Animal Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Delayed union, non-union and mal-union in 442 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 442 dogs with fractures was studied to understand issues like delayed healing, non-healing, and improper healing of broken bones. It was found that about 14% of the fractures had delayed healing, while nearly 5% did not heal at all. Older dogs and those with complex fractures or infections at the surgery site were more likely to experience these problems. Treatments like bone grafts also increased the risk of complications. Understanding these factors can help veterinarians better plan for and treat fractures in dogs, especially in older pets or those with specific types of injuries.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: (1) To estimate the prevalence of delayed union, non-union and mal-union in canine fractures; (2) to describe fracture, demographic, and treatment characteristics for these outcomes; (3) to identify risk factors for delayed or non-union. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Four hundred and forty two dogs (461 fractures). METHODS: A review was conducted of clinical records and radiographs from 2 teaching hospitals. "Union," "delayed union," "non-union" and "mal-union" were defined, and fracture, demographic, treatment, and outcome variables described. Differences in proportions or medians between "union," "delayed union" and "non-union" were tested using χand Mann-Whitney U-tests for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Potential explanatory variables for "delayed or non-union" were tested using logistic regression to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Median radiographic follow up was 53 days (14-282). Delayed union occurred in 13.9% of fractures (64/461), non-union in 4.6% (21/461), and mal-union in 0.7% (3/461). Risk factors for delayed or non-union were age (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12-1.31); comminuted fracture (OR 4.24, 95% CI 2.4-7.5); treatment with bone graft (all types) (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.3-8.5); surgical site infection (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.17-8.97), and major implant failure (OR 12.94, 95% CI 5.06-33.1). CONCLUSION: Older dogs, dogs with comminuted fractures, surgical site infection, or major implant failure were at increased odds of delayed or non-union. Radius and ulna fractures in toy breed dogs were not at increased odds of delayed or non-union. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The identified risk factors should inform fracture planning and prognosticating. The prognosis for radial fractures in toy breeds appears better than historically believed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36053918/