Premature Closure of the Distal Radial Physis in the Dog A Review of Eleven Cases

Premature distal radial physeal closure, while not as commonly diagnosed as premature closure of the distal ulnar physis, presented a surgical problem in the 11 cases reviewed. The diagnosis was suggested by clinical signs including lameness, angular deformity of the forelimb, pain, crepitation, and limited range of motion in the elbow. Radiographic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Surgical treatment depended on the abnormalities present. Two animals with growth potential were treated by resecting the restricting physeal bone bridge and placing an autogenous fat graft in the defect. Corrective osteotomy procedures for seven animals with total closure of the physis were directed toward re-establishing functional elbow anatomy by radial osteotomy or correcting angular limb deformity with an oblique radial osteotomy. Two animals did not receive treatment. Surgical treatment resulted in improved use of the forelimb.     

Autogenous Fat Grafts to Prevent Recurrence following Surgical Correction of Growth Deformities of the Radius and Ulna in the Dog

The use of autogenous fat grafts as interpositional material to prevent the regrowth of bone is discussed. Four cases from a series of ten are presented to illustrate the use of autogenous fat grafts as an aid in preventing recurrence following surgical correction of growth deformities of the radius and ulna. Surgery consisted of removing a segment of ulna and filling the defect with an autogenous fat graft to prevent the ulna from reuniting. Partial ulnar ostectomy was combined with radial osteotomy when indicated.     

小型犬尺桡骨,股骨远端骨折的钢板植入及取出手术

本文对小型犬尺桡骨和股骨远端骨折实施了钢板植入和愈合后钢板的取出手术。由于小型犬骨骼细,找不到合适的钢板。我们利用现有的材料根据骨折的具体情况,进行了钢板植入手术的尝试均取得了成功。     

Transplantation of the Canine Distal Ulna as a Free Vascularized Bone Graft

An autogenous free vascular bone graft of the canine distal ulna was evaluated. The vascularity of the graft was based on a musculoperiosteal sheath supplied solely by the caudal interosseous artery and vein. Four autogenous heterotopic (ulna to tibia) vascular transfers were performed. Two avascular transfers were performed to provide baseline criteria from which the success of vascularized transfers could be assessed. Clinical lameness evaluation, serial radiographs, bone scintigraphy, and sequential fluorochrome bone labeling were performed after surgery in both vascular and avascular transfers. All dogs were free of lameness in the donor limb by the 26th postoperative day. Serial radiographs revealed rapid graft incorporation and hypertrophy in all vascularized grafts and severe bone resorption in nonvascularized grafts. Histology, microangiography, and evaluation of fluorochrome bone labels were performed 90 days after surgery to determine graft viability, incorporation and temporal remodeling patterns. Microangiography and fluorochrome assessment complemented the histological findings. Based on these findings the distal ulnar bone graft was determined to be both viable and structurally adequate for selected cases of long bone reconstruction.     

普通T形骨板治疗玩具犬桡尺骨远端骨折的手术效果

旨在评估普通T形骨板内固定治疗玩具犬桡尺骨远端骨折的临床效果及并发症。回顾了在中国农业大学动物医院采用开放式复位和普通T形骨板内固定治疗桡尺骨远端骨折的玩具犬的病历记录,并对这些病例进行回访。入选病例满足：体重不超过7 kg;骨折位置位于前臂远端(远端骨段与桡骨长度比值<0.25);回访时间>12个月;病例信息记录完整。结果表明：共纳入29只犬的29例桡尺骨远端骨折,26例(89.7%)术后无跛行,3例(10.3%)术后勉强可见跛行。未发生严重并发症,轻微并发症的发生率是20.7%(n=6)。普通T形骨板内固定能有效治疗玩具犬桡尺骨远端骨折,临床效果良好,无严重并发症。     

The Anatomic Basis of a Free Vascularized Bone Graft Based on the Canine Distal Ulna

The anatomy of the canine distal ulna was evaluated to determine its potential as a free vascularized bone graft. Twelve cadavers were studied by gross dissection and nonselective and selective angiography. The caudal interosseous artery consistently served as a source artery to the distal ulnar periosteal vasculature in all dogs. The diameters of the caudal interosseous artery and venae comitantes were large enough to permit microvascular anastomoses. Nonselective perfusions of the brachial artery demonstrated large barium-filled vessels within soft tissues surrounding the ulna with anastomotic connections between medullary and periosteal vasculature. Grafts selectively perfused through the caudal interosseous artery (periosteal circulation only) had barium-filled vessels within the muscular cuff, periosteum, cortical bone, and medullary canal of the ulna. A surgical approach to remove the distal ulna along with an intact musculoperiosteal cuff and its associated vasculature is described.     

Surgical Management of Lateral Luxation and Subluxation of the Canine Radial Head

The causes and pathogenesis of radial head luxation and subluxation are reviewed. A surgical technique is described for repair of the condition that permits direct visualization of the joint, reestablishment of normal joint anatomy by ulnar osteotomy, and stabilization of the radioulnar articulation with a lag screw. Two clinical cases are presented.     

The Intraosseous Blood Supply of the Canine Radius: Implications for Healing of Distal Fractures in Small Dogs

The intraosseous vascular anatomy of the radius was studied in 12 pairs of canine cadaver limbs. Six pairs of specimens were obtained from small-breed dogs (less than 6 kg) and six pairs were obtained from large-breed dogs (18 to 30 kg). All specimens were studied after arterial injection with India ink. Samples were fixed, frozen, then sectioned and processed using a modified Spalteholz technique. In all specimens, the intraosseous blood supply arose from the nutrient artery with its associated branches and the metaphyseal arteries. In small-breed dogs, there was decreased vascular density at the distal diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction compared with large-breed dogs. The reduced vascularity corresponded to the region associated with a poor prognosis for fracture healing in small-breed dogs. This regional association suggests that a decreased vascular supply in the distal radius may contribute to a higher frequency of delayed union and nonunion in smaller dogs.     

普通骨板内固定治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折的回顾性分析

本试验旨在评估普通骨板内固定治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折的临床效果及并发症。回顾了中国农业大学动物医院使用普通骨板（圆洞骨板或兽医可剪裁骨板）开放式复位和内固定治疗桡尺骨骨折的玩具犬的病历记录,并对这些病例进行回访。入选病例满足以下条件：体重不超过7 kg;回访时间大于12个月;病例信息记录完整。结果显示：共纳入63只犬的64例桡尺骨骨折,49例（76.6%）术后无跛行,7例（10.9%）术后勉强可见到跛行,6例（9.3%）存在轻度跛行,2例（3.1%）存在中度跛行。严重并发症的发生率是6.3%,轻微并发症的发生率是27%。试验表明,普通骨板内固定能有效治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折,该方法临床效果良好,且严重并发症发生率低。     

Use of a Medial Bone Plate for Repair of Radius and Ulna Fractures in Dogs and Cats: A Report of 22 Cases

Objective —This study evaluates the technique of medial bone plating in the repair of radius fractures in dogs and cats.
Study Design —A retrospective study was made of patients diagnosed with fractures of the radius that were stabilized by application of a bone plate to the medial side of the bone.
Animal Population —Sixteen client-owned dogs and 4 client-owned cats. The animals' ages varied from 5 months to 8 years, and their weight varied from 1.3 to 49 kgs.
Methods —Animals were evaluated using radiography or client assessment, or both.
Results —Medial plate application was technically easier to do than cranial plate application, the technique avoided the extensor tendons, and permitted greater versatility in the selection of smaller plates for the fixation of distal radius fractures. All fractures repaired by this method healed with no postoperative complications.
Conclusions —Medial plate application may be used for osteosynthesis of distal or middiaphy-seal radius fractures. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of this technique in morphologically complex fractures. In patients with fractures of the proximal radius, cranial plate application is considered more appropriate.
Clinical Relevance —Medial plating of radial fractures has significant advantages compared with conventional plate application; it provides the surgeon with an alternative method of fixation for selected radius fractures in dogs and cats.     

Exposure and Postoperative Stability of Three Medial Surgical Approaches to the Canine Elbow

Articular cartilage exposure and immediate postoperative stability provided by three medial surgical approaches in canine cadaver elbows were compared. The approaches evaluated were a desmotomy of the medial collateral ligament (DMCL) that included a tenotomy of the pronator teres muscle, a longitudinal myotomy of the flexor carpi radialis (MFCR), and an osteotomy of the medial epicondyle (OME). Nondestructive biomechanical testing was performed before the surgical approach and repeated after surgery. The stiffness at 13 valgus deviation of the elbow and energy absorption up to 13 valgus deviation of the elbow were determined from the pre-operative and postoperative torque-rotation curves. The perimeters of the ulnar and humeral articular cartilage that were visualized through the approach were scored with a dental pick. Latex casts were made of articular surfaces of the elbow. The humeral and ulnar articular exposures were determined by computerized planimetric analysis of latex cast photocopies. The humeral cartilage exposure of the OME approach was significantly greater than either the MFCR or DMCL approaches. The DMCL approach provided a significantly greater humeral cartilage exposure than the MFCR approach. All three approaches provided statistically similar percentages of ulnar cartilage exposure. The stiffness and energy absorption of the OME and MFCR approaches were similar and significantly greater than the DMCL approach. The OME approach provided the best combination of exposure and immediate postoperative stability.     

Fixation of Radius and Ulna Fractures in the Immature Dog and Cat A Review of Popular Techniques and a Report of Eight Cases Using Plate Fixation

External immobilization and traditional pinning techniques for radius and ulna fractures in immature animals are associated with complications. Prolonged splinting and casting risks postural hyperextension. Pinning techniques may injure growing bones and joints. Eight cases are presented in which fractures of the radius and ulna in immature animals were treated with plates and without external splints. Ail fractures healed without iatrogenic injury to the growing bones and joints and without hyperextension problems of fracture disease. Plating proved a highly effective method of treatment for these fractures in growing animals, avoiding complications and the problems associated with external splinting and traditional pinning techniques.