Small Animals Fracture Repair

Extremities

Fracture of the Scapula

Fracture of the body of the scapula is uncommon. Although usually caused by a car accident, it can also be the result of a gunshot wound.

Figure 1: Radiograph of a gunshot fracture of the scapular body. (B) Radiograph of a fracture of the scapular body.

Figure 2: Fracture of the scapulaapular body treated with a bone plate. (B) Healing was complete in 1 month. This fracture of the scapular body was treated with a bone plate.

Fracture of the Humerous

All diaphyseal humeral fractures have the potential for injury to the radial nerve which can be either temporary or permanent. The animal's neurologic status should be established before extensive surgery is performed. Transverse or short oblique fractures respond well to intramedullary pinning (Fig. 12). Increased stability is obtained by external fixation with KIE apparatus (Fig. 13).

Figure 3: Radiograph of an oblique shaft fracture of the humerous. (B) Radiograph of an oblique shaft fracture of the humerous treated with an intramedullary (IM) pin and cerclage wires.

Figure 4: (A) Transverse midshaft fracture of the humerous in a cat. (B) Transverse midshaft fracture of the humerous treated with an IM pin and ancillary external fixation.

Figure 5: (A) This oblique fracture of the humerous shows a large loose fragment. (B) An oblique fracture of the humerous with a large loose fragment is treated by multiple lag screw and an external fixation splint.

Figure 6: A. Radiograph of oblique distal third and distal fracture of the humerus. B. Radiograph of the surgical repair with K. wires and lag screw. A bone plate in the neutralization mode has been applied.

Figure 7: (A) Gunshot fracture of the humerous. (B). Gunshot fracture of the humerous treated with a bone plate and external fixation. Insufficient solid bone in the proximal fragment required placement of the external fixation device in the neck of the scapula.

Figure 8: A. Radiograph of a gunshot fracture of the humerous of a cat. B. This gunshot fracture of the humerous was treated with an external fixation splint.

Distal Condylar Fracture (DCF)

DCFs are probably the most common fractu

res of the humerous frequently involoving the supracondylar portion of the shaft. Immobilization of such fractures were seen in Fig. 139, 140, 141, 142)

Figure 9: (A) Distal humeral and condylar fracture with a large loose fragment. (B) Lateral radiograph of a distal humeral and condylar fracture with a large loose fragment treated with short IM pins inserted from the caudolateral condylar surfaces to insert in the distal humeral medullary cavity. Fragment control was obtained with cerclage wires. (C) The distal humeral and condylar fracture shows good healing 8 weeks after surgery.

Figure 10: (A) Distal humeral and condylar fracture in a cat. (B) Distal humeral and condylar fracture treated with a long flexible pin inserted up the humeral medullary cavity from the medial condyle and a short K-wire in the lateral condylar portion.

Figure 11: (A) Lateral radiograph of a distal humeral and condylar fracture. (B) Lateral radiograph of a distal humeral and condylar fracture treated with bone plate. Lag screw, and a small IM pin in the lateral condylar shaft.

Figure 12: (A) Distal humeral fracture. (B) Distal humeral fracture treated with flexible IM pins inserted from the caudolateral surfaces of the condyle in the Rush pin mode.

Fractures of the radius and ulna

Fractures of the radius and ulna are very common in dog and cat and can occur anywhere along the length of the bones. In young dog, stable fractures and some simple green stick fractures of the radius can be successfully treated with cast. While in adult animals, more modern methods using bone plate have less potential for complications such as malunion, nonunion, delayed healing, stiff joints, pressure sores, pain and discomfort to the patient.

Figure 13: A. Simple stable fracture of the radius and ulna. B. A distal fracture of radius and ulna in a cat. C Inadequate reduction of a distal fracture of the radius and ulna with a cast.

Figure 14: (A) Distal fracture of the radius in a Pomeranian. (B) Distal radial and ulnar fracture successfully treated with bone miniplate.

Figure 15: Fracture of the radius. (B) Fracture of the radius treated with a bone plate. It is unusual that the ulna was not also affected.

Figure 16: Stable fractures of the radius and ulna successfully treated with a cast.(A) Distal fracture of the radius and ulna in a dog, showing an unsatisfactory reduction with a cast. B. Successful reduction and fixation with a bone plate of a fracture of the distal radius and ulna in a dog.

Figure 17: (A) Comminuted fracture of the proximal radius and ulna. (B) Cominuted fracture of the proximal radius and ulna treated with a bilateral configuration external fixation splint, with additional pins for fragment control. A K/E apparatus was selected because of the extremely short proximal radial fragment.

Figure 18: (A) Proximal fracture of the radius and ulna. The atrophy of the distal ulna and its fusion to the radius were from a previous fracture. (B) Proximal radial and ulnar fracture treated with bone plates.

Fractures of the pelvis

The pelvis is one of the most commonly broken bones in the dog. In many cases, pelvic injuries without severe displacement or involvement of the acetabular articular surfaces can heal without surgical intervention.

Figure 19: V-D radiograph of a pelvic injury in a dog. No surgical intervention was required.

Figure 20: Fractured ileum treated with bone plate. Second screw placed nicely into body of the sacrum. The sacroiliac luxation is held in place with well-placed screw and k-wire.