Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to fix hip fractures in young kittens and outcomes
By Langley-Hobbs, S J et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2007·Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Tension band stabilisation of acetabular physeal fractures in four kittens.
Plain-English summary
Four young kittens with hip fractures were treated using a special surgical technique that involved screws and a tension band to stabilize the broken bones. This method helped realign their hips properly, allowing them to use their legs fully again after surgery. While there is a risk of bone growth issues in very young kittens, the surgery was still necessary to prevent future problems with bowel movements. Overall, all the kittens recovered well and were able to move normally after their treatment.
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Abstract
The surgical repair of acetabular physeal fractures in four kittens using a screw and tension band technique is reported. This was an appropriate method for restoring articular congruency and improving pelvic alignment. All cases had an excellent outcome and full limb use following fracture repair. In kittens younger than 12 weeks, there is a possibility of premature fusion of the acetabular bone resulting in development of a deformed, shallow acetabulum and hip subluxation. However, surgery is still justified when there is pelvic canal narrowing to decrease the risk of future defecatory problems. Early implant removal in such young kittens may decrease the severity of deformity caused by premature physeal closure. In kittens of 16 weeks or older, the prognosis is good for normal acetabular development and implant removal is not necessary.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17189710/