Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ilizarov fixator used to heal infected tibia fracture in young German
By Owen, M A·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2000·The Veterinary Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of the Ilizarov method to manage a septic tibial fracture nonunion with a large cortical defect.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-month-old German Shepherd was brought in for a severe leg injury after suffering a complicated tibial fracture that wouldn't heal properly. The veterinarian used a special device called a hybridized Ilizarov ring fixator to help stabilize the bone and promote healing, along with a bone graft to encourage new bone growth. After eight weeks of treatment, the dog's leg healed well, and the infection was resolved, allowing the dog to regain full function. Although there were some minor issues with the fixator during recovery, the overall outcome was successful.
People also search for: German Shepherd leg injury treatment · dog tibial fracture healing · Ilizarov fixator for dogs
Abstract
The use of a 'hybridised' Ilizarov ring fixator is described in the salvage of a septic nonunion of a comminuted tibial fracture with a large diaphyseal cortical sequestrum in an 11-month-old German shepherd dog. A ring fixator assembly incorporating half pin application was chosen to provide flexibility of fixation placement options in limited bonestock which had previously been subject to conventional Kirschner-Ehmer external fixation. Diaphyseal regeneration was achieved by stimulating bone trophism through the axial loading properties of the Ilizarov fixator and the biological osteoinductive properties of cancellous bone autograft. The young age of the dog was considered to make it an optimal candidate for salvage in spite of its highly excitable temperament. Fully functional fracture union with resolution of osteomyelitis was achieved at eight weeks following revision without recourse to intercalary transportation or cortical grafting. Problems with postoperative management of the dog resulted in minor complications and mechanical failure of some of the frame components.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10759382/