Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Management of humeral and femoral fractures in dogs and cats with linear- circular hybrid external skeletal fixators.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Kirkby, Kristin A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
In a study involving 21 dogs and five cats, a special type of device called a linear-circular hybrid fixator was used to help heal fractures in the humerus (the upper arm bone) and femur (the thigh bone). Out of 24 fractures treated, 22 healed well, with the time it took for healing ranging from about 25 to 280 days, averaging around 110 days. Some pets experienced minor issues with inflammation around the pins or wires used in the fixators, while two dogs had more significant problems. When the pets were assessed later, most had good to excellent recovery, with follow-up times averaging about 28 months. Overall, these fixators proved to be effective for stabilizing certain types of fractures in pets.
Abstract
Linear-circular hybrid fixators were used to stabilize humeral and femoral fractures in 21 dogs and five cats. Twenty-two of 24 fractures with sufficient follow-up radiographic evaluation obtained union. Time to radiographic union ranged from 25 to 280 days (mean +/- standard deviation [SD] 110+/-69 days; median 98 days). Eleven animals developed minor and two dogs developed major pin and/or wire tract inflammation. Functional outcome was rated as excellent (n=16), good (n=5), and fair (n=3) at the time of final long-term assessment (range 4.5 to 60.0 months; mean +/- SD 28.4+/-15.4 months; median 28.5 months). Follow-up information was unavailable for two animals. Hybrid fixators were useful constructs for stabilization of humeral and femoral fractures, particularly fractures with short, juxta-articular fracture segments.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18593855/