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Objective: To report clinical outcomes of skeletally immature dogs with antebrachial deformities secondary to premature closure of the distal radial physis (PCDRP) treated with angular corrections and distraction osteogenesis using circular external skeletal fixation (CESF)., Study Design: Retrospective multi-institutional case series., Animals: A total of 12 client-owned dogs with premature distal radial physeal closure., Methods: Medical records from four hospitals between 2009 and 2022 were reviewed. Preoperative and final radiographic measurements of limb alignment and osteoarthritis were compared. Long-term outcomes were obtained using an owner questionnaire., Results: Mean ± SD age and bodyweight were 7.5 ± 1.7 months and 12.8 ± 11.1 kg. Distal radial corrective osteotomies and distraction osteogenesis were performed in all dogs. Mean ± SD time between surgery and fixator removal was 78 ± 20 days. Uncomplicated osseous union was documented in 9/12 dogs. Final mean affected limb anatomic lateral distal radial angle (aLDRA) of 85.6° was higher than preoperative values 71.6° and within reported normal ranges. A total of 10 of 12 dogs had mild non-progressive elbow osteoarthritis at final follow up, including two dogs with mild residual elbow incongruity. Major complications occurred in two dogs and included permanent carpal flexor contracture and radial fracture through a pin tract. Minor complications including persistent loss of carpal extension, radioulnar synostosis, and pin tract drainage occurred in 10/12 dogs. Owner questionnaires were obtained from 8/12 dogs and all reported good to excellent function., Conclusion: Angular correction and lengthening using CESF can achieve target alignment and improved clinical function with moderate complications in growing dogs with PCDRP., Clinical Significance: Distraction osteogenesis and angular corrections can be considered as a treatment option for PCDRP in skeletally immature dogs., (© 2025 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of contralateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in dogs 8 years of age or older, weighing more than or equal to 15 kg at the time of first-side CCLR and to assess associated risks., Study Design:  It is a cross-sectional retrospective study of 831 client-owned dogs METHODS:  Medical records of dogs weighing more than or equal to 15 kgs that were more than or equal to 8 years of age at the time of first CCLR diagnosis were reviewed. Data collected included weight, sex, pre-operative tibial plateau angle, co-morbidities, time between diagnosis of first CCLR and diagnosis of contralateral CCLR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratio. A median follow-up period of over 112.7 months (25th/75th quartiles 75.4/157.7 months) from first CCLR diagnosis was allotted., Results:  Eight-hundred thirty-one dogs were identified and included. About 19.1% (159/831 dogs, 95% confidence interval: 16.6-22.0%) of dogs that experience a first-side CCLR at 8 years of age or older will rupture the contralateral side, a median of 12.9 months (25th/75th quartiles 6.5/24.3 months) later. Age ( p  = 0.003) and breed, Golden Retrievers ( p  = 0.028) and Labrador Retrievers ( p  = 0.007), were factors significantly associated with contralateral CCLR., Clinical Relevance:  The prevalence of contralateral CCLR in medium-to-large breed dogs more than or equal to 8 years of age old is less than previously reported and the risk decreases as they age. This important information will help guide owners when deciding to pursue surgical stifle stabilization following CCLR in older dogs., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

This study classified and determined the post-operative complication rate associated with stabilization of cranial (CCL) ligament deficient stifles in small- to medium-sized dogs with the Arthrex Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair Anchor System (CCLRAS). Eighty-five medical records from 2009 to 2012 from 1 institution were evaluated. Complications were classified according to previously proposed definitions for orthopedic studies in veterinary medicine. Fifty-two owners were contacted by telephone at least 6 months after surgery and given a questionnaire to classify complications related to the implant. A visual analog scale was used to assess functionality and degree of pain. The overall complication rate was 30.3% with an inflammation-infection rate of 5.4% and a documented infection rate requiring implant removal of 1.8%. Owners reported full or acceptable function in 96% of cases with an average functional score of 86.5. Stabilization of CCL-deficient stifles in small- to medium-sized dogs with the Arthrex Canine CCLRAS is reliable with acceptable complication rates.

The radiographic and clinical results from 17 dogs (18 limbs) in which hybrid linear-circular external fixators (HLCEF) were used for the correction of antebrachial growth deformities (AGD) are described, retrospectively. Wedge ostectomy and the application of a type IA or IB HLCEF were performed in all cases. Pre- and postoperative AGD measurements, complications, time to staged destabilization and/or fixator removal, cosmesis, and limb function were evaluated. Complications included wire and/or pin tract inflammation (11 limbs) and radial fracture (2 limbs). All dogs had improved function and appearance after surgery. Limb function was assessed as excellent in 13 cases and good in 4 cases. Limb appearance was assessed as excellent in 12 cases and good in 5 cases. This case series substantiates the utility of HLCEF for the correction of AGD in dogs.

Linear-circular hybrid fixators were used to stabilize humeral and femoral fractures in 21 dogs and five cats. Twenty-two of 24 fractures with sufficient follow-up radiographic evaluation obtained union. Time to radiographic union ranged from 25 to 280 days (mean +/- standard deviation [SD] 110+/-69 days; median 98 days). Eleven animals developed minor and two dogs developed major pin and/or wire tract inflammation. Functional outcome was rated as excellent (n=16), good (n=5), and fair (n=3) at the time of final long-term assessment (range 4.5 to 60.0 months; mean +/- SD 28.4+/-15.4 months; median 28.5 months). Follow-up information was unavailable for two animals. Hybrid fixators were useful constructs for stabilization of humeral and femoral fractures, particularly fractures with short, juxta-articular fracture segments.

Objective: To describe surgical correction of pes varus deformity in Dachshunds by acute medial opening wedge osteotomy of the distal aspect of the tibia stabilized with a hybrid external skeletal fixator (HESF), and report clinical and radiographic outcomes., Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective clinical study., Animals: Immature Dachshunds (n=13) with pes varus deformity., Methods: Limb function and lameness scores were assigned before and after surgery, and correction was determined visually at surgery. Tibiotarsal joint orientation (TTJO) and medial and lateral tibial cortex lengths, measured on radiographs of deformed and normal (when available) limbs, were compared before correction and after fixator removal., Results: Pes varus deformities (n=14) were corrected; 93% had good to excellent clinical outcome. None of the dogs had a normal preoperative gait. Mean TTJO of abnormal and normal tibiae before surgery were 29 degrees varus (median, 28 degrees), and 12 degrees valgus (median, 12 degrees). Angular correction ranged from 20 degrees to 51 degrees (mean, 36+/-8 degrees; median, 36 degrees). Mean TTJO after fixator removal was 7 degrees valgus (median, 7 degrees). Two dogs had minor transient postoperative complications whereas 3 had major complications; only 1 of which was resolved., Conclusions: Pes varus deformity in Dachshunds can be corrected by acute medial opening wedge osteotomy of the distal aspect of the tibia stabilized by HESF. Technique modifications are needed to improve correction precision., Clinical Relevance: Visual inspection of limb alignment during surgery resulted in good to excellent clinical outcomes; however, 91% of tibiae were under- or overcorrected (mean, 6 degrees; median, 5 degrees). Limb alignment should be based on evaluation of immediate postoperative TTJO measurements, not solely on intraoperative visual assessment.

Fifty-nine dogs with a total of 69 perineal hernias that were repaired by internal obturator transposition and polypropylene mesh reinforcement were reviewed. Thirty-six dogs were available for follow-up at a mean of 29.4 months postoperatively. Six dogs had complications within the first 60 days of surgery, such as perineal swelling, persistent tenesmus, and incisional infections. Twenty-two dogs had excellent outcomes; seven dogs needed continued medical treatment after surgery; and seven dogs had poor outcomes. Hernias recurred in five dogs. The incisional infection rate was 5.6%; the recurrence rate was 12.5%; and the overall success rate was 80.5% for the 36 dogs with long-term follow-up.

Objective: To report clinical outcome and complications after pancarpal arthrodesis using circular external skeletal fixation (CESF) in dogs., Study Design: Retrospective study., Animals: Dogs (n=9) with carpal injury., Methods: Medical records including radiographs (10 limbs) with underlying severe carpal injury that had pancarpal arthrodesis with CESF were reviewed. Short-term follow-up (>6 months) was obtained by phone interview of owners., Results: Mean weight was 24.5 kg (range, 10.1-69.5 kg). Mean duration until CESF removal was 110.6 days (range, 72-149 days). Complications in all dogs were mild postoperative edema of the distal aspect of the limb and initial mild serous discharge form exit points of CSEF wires. Follow-up (mean, 328 days; range, 190-541 days) was available for 8 dogs. All owners reported limb function and cosmesis as being excellent, and perceived that their animals were pain free. Perception of fixator care difficulty, as reported by owners, varied significantly based on previous splint management experience; owners who had experienced splint management for >1 month found fixator care equal to or easier than splint management., Conclusion: Pancarpal arthrodesis with a CESF produces a favorable clinical outcome with high owner acceptance., Clinical Relevance: Pancarpal arthrodesis by use of CESF is a clinically applicable technique and may offer advantages over internal fixation with respect to postoperative complications.

Fracture stabilization using circular external skeletal fixation was evaluated in 14 dogs with antebrachial fractures and 11 dogs with crural fractures. Most dogs were consistently weight bearing on the stabilized limb by 3 days following surgery. Although all dogs developed minor wire/pin tract inflammation and eight dogs developed major wire/pin tract inflammation, postoperative lameness was not consistently associated with wire/pin tract complications. Fractures in 23 dogs achieved radiographic union (mean +/- standard deviation [SD], 61 +/- 21 days; median, 57 days) without additional surgery; two dogs required restabilization of their fractures with linear fixators. Twenty of the 21 owners that could be contacted felt their dog had no (n=15) or only a mild (n=5) intermittent lameness at the time of final, long-term (mean +/- SD, 37 +/- 17 months; median, 42 months) assessment.

A basic understanding of biomechanics, the material and structural properties of bone, and the effects that forces have on long bones enables the veterinary orthopedic surgeon to make rational decisions in selecting the most appropriate method of fracture fixation. This knowledge should enhance a surgeon's clinical ability to create a biomechanically stable environment at the fracture site that is conducive to rapid bone healing and early return to function of the patient. Furthermore, the ability to comprehend biomechanics as it pertains to fracture management enables the surgeon to scientifically critique new implant systems as they are developed with regard to their inherent ability to effectively neutralize the potential disruptive forces acting on a fracture after stabilization.

Dorsal cystotomies were performed in 60 healthy dogs. Twenty bladders were closed with a single-layer interrupted appositional suture pattern, 20 with a two-layer interrupted appositional suture pattern, and 20 with a two-layer continuous inverting suture pattern. Four dogs from each group were euthanatized at hours 0, 3, 12, 18, and 24. Mechanical strength of the cystotomy closures was evaluated by calculating the circular bursting wall tension. The single-layer interrupted appositional suture pattern was as strong as both two-layer suture patterns at hours 3, 12, 18, and 24. The two-layer interrupted appositional suture pattern was as strong as the two-layer continuous inverting suture pattern during the first 24 hours.

The relative static strengths of seven fixation configurations for the repair of sacroiliac fracture-separations were determined. The fixation techniques were two 3.5 mm screws, one 4.5 mm screw, one 4.5 mm screw and a pin, two 4.5 mm screws, one 6.5 mm screw, one 6.5 mm screw and a pin, and two 6.5 mm screws. Each configuration was subjected to a torsional, a bending, and a shear disruptive force while the maximum load tolerated before failure was measured. Two screws were stronger than a single screw of similar size, two small screws were stronger than a single larger screw, and a reduction pin added no significant strength to a single screw repair. It was concluded that use of the largest screws possible will maximize the strength of a sacroiliac fracture-separation repair.