Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to fix broken lower thigh bone in dogs and cats
By Whitney, W O & Schrader, S C·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1987·Department of Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dynamic intramedullary crosspinning technique for repair of distal femoral fractures in dogs and cats: 71 cases (1981-1985).
Plain-English summary
A group of 71 dogs and cats with fractures in their thigh bone (femur) underwent a surgical procedure called dynamic intramedullary crosspinning to help heal their injuries. Most pets showed good to excellent recovery, with 93% achieving bony union after an average follow-up of 22 months. Some pets experienced complications, such as the pin moving out of place, which caused intermittent limping. In cases where the pin was removed, the limping resolved, allowing the pets to return to normal activity.
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Abstract
Dynamic intramedullary crosspinning was used in the surgical treatment of supracondylar and distal physeal fractures of the femur in 129 dogs and cats over a 5-year period; the records of the 44 dogs and 27 cats with follow-up information up to time of bony union were evaluated. The results were good or excellent in 66 of 71 animals (93%). The mean follow-up period was 22 months. Distal pin migration was the major complication (10 animals; 14%). The pin migrated before bony union in 2 animals because of instability and collapse at the fracture site. The pin migrated in 8 animals after bony union and was associated with intermittent lameness. In 5 of these, pin removal was performed and the lameness resolved.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3693036/