Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with missing radius bone treated by wrist fusion and bone
By McKee, W M & Reynolds, J·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2007·Willows Referral Service, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ulnocarpal arthrodesis and limb lengthening for the management of radial agenesis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-week-old boxer was diagnosed with radial agenesis, a condition where the radius bone is missing, affecting the dog's front leg. At 6 months old, the vet performed a surgery called ulnocarpal arthrodesis to help the dog bear weight and improve limb alignment. Later, at 10 months, a special device was used to gradually lengthen the ulna bone and correct its shape. By 23 months, the dog was walking and running well, although it had some difficulty extending its toes, which improved with physical therapy.
People also search for: boxer dog radial agenesis treatment · dog limb lengthening surgery · puppy leg alignment surgery
Abstract
Radial agenesis was diagnosed in a nine-week-old boxer. An ulnocarpal arthrodesis was performed when six months of age to improve limb alignment and enable weight bearing. When the dog was 10 months old, a hinged circular fixator was applied to the limb to gradually lengthen the ulna and correct angular and rotational deformity. The fixator was removed at 16 months of age. At this time, there was 1.7 cm (6 per cent) shortening of the affected antebrachium-metacarpus and 2.6 cm (15 per cent) compensatory overgrowth of the humerus compared with the contralateral limb. Inability to extend the digits was a complication that improved with physiotherapy. Follow-up at 23 months of age showed good limb use when walking and running. Radiographs of the elbow showed periarticular osteophytes and subcoronoid sclerosis of the ulna.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17608663/