Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to fuse toe joints in three dogs with severe joint disease
By Rochat, M C & Mann, F A·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1998·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs suffering from severe joint pain due to injuries and diseases were treated with a surgical procedure called metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis, which helps fuse the bones in the foot to relieve pain and improve function. In two of the dogs, this surgery successfully eliminated their pain and allowed them to use their legs better. However, one dog had other injuries and was overweight, which limited its recovery. The surgery involved using bone grafts and plates, along with additional support from external bandaging.
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Abstract
Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis was done in each of three dogs with end-stage degenerative joint disease resulting from trauma and osteomyelitis (n = 2) and immune-mediated disease (n = 1). In two cases, MTP arthrodesis proved to be a useful method of eliminating pain and salvaging limb function. In one case, concurrent injuries and obesity prevented full return to function. Arthrodesis was accomplished with autogenous cancellous bone grafts and bone plates (n = 2) and with transarticular K-wires (n = 1). External coaptation was a necessary adjunct to internal fixation in all cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9507429/