Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog limping after elbow implant surgery diagnosed by special CT scan
By Labrador, Jose et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2021·Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of an extended CT scale reconstruction to diagnose metal implant failure in a canine elbow.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Cocker Spaniel was brought in for limping on the right front leg, which had returned 33 months after surgery to fix a bone fracture. X-rays didn’t show any problems, but advanced imaging techniques revealed a fracture in the screw used during the initial surgery. After confirming the screw had failed, the veterinarian replaced it, and the dog's lameness improved significantly after the revision surgery. This case highlights the importance of using advanced imaging when there are concerns about metal implants in pets.
People also search for: Cocker Spaniel limping · dog elbow surgery recovery · metal implant failure in dogs
Abstract
A Cocker Spaniel presented for recurrence of right forelimb lameness 33 months following transcondylar screw placement for a humeral intracondylar fissure. Elbow radiographs showed no evidence of implant-related complications. Standard CT scale reconstruction images failed to demonstrate implant failure. Extended CT scale reconstruction images revealed a fracture through the mid-portion of the screw. Revision surgery confirmed the implant failure; the screw was replaced and the lameness subsequently resolved. Extended CT scale reconstruction images allow detailed assessment of metal implants and should be considered when implant failure is suspected.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32342576/