Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Better bone healing in radial fractures of toy and miniature dogs
By Yu, J et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2011·VCA-Douglas County Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Improving surgical reduction in radial fractures using a 'dowel' pinning technique in miniature and toy breed dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of miniature and toy breed dogs with broken bones in their front legs underwent surgery using a new technique called 'dowel' pinning. This method helped improve the alignment of the fractures compared to a more traditional approach. While both surgical methods led to good recovery, the dogs treated with the closed reduction technique healed about 2.5 weeks faster than those that had the 'dowel' pinning. Overall, the 'dowel' pinning technique showed excellent results, but pet owners should be aware of the slight delay in healing time.
People also search for: dog broken leg surgery · miniature dog radial fracture treatment · toy breed dog bone healing time
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A retrospective approach was used to detail and evaluate a 'dowel' pinning technique in distal radial fractures in miniature and toy breed dogs. METHODS: Medical records and radiographs from 2003-2009 of miniature and toy breed dog radial fractures were examined. Sixty cases were divided into two groups: 51 radial fractures repaired with a 'dowel' pinning and external skeletal fixation (ESF) and nine radial fractures repaired with closed reduction and ESF. Each dog was evaluated and radiographic images were obtained at presentation, postoperatively, and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Signalment, reduction, alignment, time to clinical bone healing and ESF removal, and implant morbidity were determined for each group. RESULTS: Radial fractures repaired with a 'dowel' pin and ESF had improved reduction compared to closed reduction and ESF alone (p<0.0001 as evaluated with lateral radiographs and p<0.0004 with cranial/caudal radiographs). Both surgical groups resulted in good clinical outcome with low morbidity, however it was observed that the time to clinical union and ESF removal was an average of 2.5 weeks less with closed reduction technique compared to the open reduction and 'dowel' pinning technique (p<0.031). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Incorporating a 'dowel' pin to the surgical repair enhances the reduction of distal radial fractures in miniature and toy breed dogs and results in excellent clinical outcomes but causes a small delay in bone healing.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21103655/