UTILIZATION OF SEMITUBULAR TITANIUM PLATES WITH CLAMPS FOR STABILIZING RADIAL AND ULNAR FRACTURES IN MINIATURE DOGS

Abstract

The distal third of the radius and ulna is the most prevalent site in traumatic processes of thoracic limbs in dogs. Especially in miniature breeds, fractures on the distal third of the radius and ulna are frequently associated with complications such as lack of bone union or delayed union at the fracture focus. The purpose of this paper was to assess the use of  semitubular titanium plates with clamps specially developed for treating radial and ulnar fractures in miniature dog breeds. In a 14-month period, 15 animals were seen with radial and ulnar fracture, which had had a plate implant and afterwards were assessed by means of a clinical and radiological examination every 30 days. The animals recovered the function of their operated limbs between 4 and 7 days after the surgery. By X-ray examination, bone consolidation was observed in all dogs in less than 90 days. Post-op complications occurred in two cases: rotation of the distal bone fragment after loss of function of distal screws in one dog, and in another, exposure of distal end of plate, which had to be removed. The use of the plate with clamps is an effective technique to correct this type of fracture.

KEYWORDS: Dog, ortopaedic, osteosynthesis, semitubular  plates with clamps, semitubular titanium plates with clamps.