Osteomedullography in estimating the consolidation of long bone fractures in the dog

Six canine long bone fractures with delayed or non-union were investigated using osteomedullography. The contrast medium crossed the fracture (positive osteomedullography) in four cases. All contrast medium remained in the distal fragment (negative osteomedullography) in two cases. The fractures with the negative finding were operated upon using bone grafts. Conservative fracture treatment using transfixation or plaster cast was continued in the positive cases. All the fractures united from 9 to 15 weeks after the examination and treatment. Osteomedullography proved to be a reliable method for identifying which non-union fractures require further operative treatment for healing.