Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Large-breed puppy with crooked, short leg fixed by bone lengthening
By Petazzoni, Massimo & Palmer, Ross H·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2012·Clinica Veterinaria Milano Sud, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Femoral angular correction and lengthening in a large-breed puppy using a dynamic unilateral external fixator.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4.5-month-old male Bernese Mountain Dog was brought in for severe limping on his left back leg that had been getting worse over six weeks. The puppy had a deformity in his femur that caused both an angle issue and a length problem. To fix this, the veterinarian used a special device to gradually correct the angle and lengthen the bone over a few weeks. After treatment, the puppy showed significant improvement, walking and running normally without any signs of the previous issues.
People also search for: Bernese Mountain Dog limping · puppy leg lengthening surgery · dog femur angle correction treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report treatment of a large-breed puppy with combined distal femoral valgus and length deficit caused by partial distal physeal closure. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Bernese Mountain Dog (4.5-month-old male). METHODS: The puppy was admitted for evaluation of a progressive severe left pelvic limb lameness (grade 3/4) of 6-week duration. Distal femoral valgus and severe length deficit deformity were treated by acute angular correction using a closing wedge ostectomy and progressive rapid-rate callus distraction using a dynamic, telescoping unilateral External Skeletal Fixator (ESF) designed for people. After acute angular correction and a 3-day latency period, a mean linear distraction rate of 3 mm/day was maintained for 3 weeks. The dynamic ESF (dESF) was removed at 4 weeks, after a 1-week consolidation phase. RESULTS: The dESF was stable and functional during distraction and bone healing. Distal femoral valgus conformation improved 50° (from 41° to 91°) and femoral length increased 42 mm at dESF removal (from 158 mm to 200 mm; 27%). After cessation of bone growth, no valgus and minimal (6%) length deficit were detected. At 4, 5, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, the dog was walking, trotting, and galloping normally. CONCLUSION: Acute angular correction and progressive rapid-rate callus distraction using a unilateral dESF allowed satisfactory treatment of combined distal femoral valgus and length deficit in a large-breed puppy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22239681/