Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Humeral bone cracks linked to fractures in French bulldogs
By Strohmeier, Ulrike W & Harris, Karen P·Published in The Veterinary record·2021·Department of small animal surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Humeral intracondylar fissures in French bulldogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of nine French bulldogs with humeral condylar fractures (HCF) underwent CT scans before surgery to check for underlying issues. The scans revealed that six of the dogs had humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF), which are cracks that can lead to fractures during normal activity. This suggests that HIF might be a common problem in French bulldogs that could increase their risk of fractures. Recognizing these fissures early could help veterinarians prevent serious injuries in this breed.
People also search for: French bulldog humeral fracture treatment · dog bone fissure symptoms · French bulldog injury prevention
Abstract
BACKGROUND: French bulldogs have previously been reported to be at an increased risk of developing humeral condylar fractures (HCF). Humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF) are thought to be a predisposing factor for HCF occurrence in skeletally mature dogs particularly when the fracture occurs during normal activity. We hypothesised that HIF may be a predisposing factor for HCF in French bulldogs. METHODS: A retrospective case series of nine French bulldogs that had sustained HCF and where CT was performed prior to surgery. RESULTS: Five of the fractured humeri had sclerosis adjacent to the fracture site. Six of the contralateral intact humeri were diagnosed with HIF on the basis of a partial (2/6) or complete (4/6) hypoattenuating area extending between the distal articular surface and the supratrochlear foramen in the sagittal plane, with adjacent sclerosis (6/6). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of sclerosis at the intracondylar fracture surface on CT can prompt suspicion that HIF preceded HCF. A predisposing HIF has potentially great clinical significance for this breed if we draw parallels with breeds such as the springer spaniel for whom HIF and HIF-associated condylar fracture is well documented.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34021603/