Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
External skeletal fixation for failed tibial tuberosity surgery
By Higgins, B et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2010·University of Liverpool, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The use of transarticular external skeletal fixation in the management of failed tibial tuberosity transposition in five dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five dogs with complications from a previous surgery to fix a knee issue (tibial tuberosity transposition) were treated using a special external fixator to stabilize the area. This method helped in four out of five cases, allowing the bones to heal properly over an average of 44 days. While there were some minor issues like discharge around the pins, these resolved without further problems. Long-term follow-up showed that three of the dogs had some occasional limping, but it was linked to other joint issues rather than the surgery itself. Overall, this technique proved effective in helping these dogs regain good limb function.
People also search for: dog knee surgery recovery · tibial tuberosity transposition complications · dog limping after surgery
Abstract
The management of tibial tuberosity fracture-avulsion after tibial tuberosity transposition can be challenging. Implants must be able to resist the strong distractive force of the quadriceps mechanism, yet implant size is limited by the amount of tuberosity bone stock available. Revision fixation is compromised further by fragmentation of the tubercle. Five stifle joints had temporary transarticular external skeletal fixators applied to manage complications of tibial tuberosity transposition. Fracture reduction was confirmed in four out of five tibial tuberosity fractures. Frames were in place for a mean of 44 days. Frame associated complications occurred in four out of five limbs, the most common being pin tract discharge and associated osteolucency. All frame-associated complications resolved. Long-term follow-up information was available for three of the five animals at 13 to 18 months after frame removal. All three owners reported occasional lameness, but this was attributed to concurrent orthopaedic disease. Transarticular external skeleton fixation protects internal fixation techniques, and good limb function was achieved in most cases. Transarticular external skeleton fixation can be successfully used to augment repair of tibial tuberosity fracture after tibial tuberosity transposition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20151075/