Internal fixation of femoral capital physeal injuries in dogs: 40 cases (1979-1987).

ABSTRACT

Fractures of the femoral capital physis were stabilized with small pins or a lag screw in 36 dogs (4 bilateral injuries). Radiography was used to monitor the development of osteoarthritis in affected joints and narrowing of the femoral neck. More radiographic signs of arthritis (P less than 0.05) developed in the coxofemoral joints of dogs that were less than or equal to 4 months old when injured, compared with those in dogs greater than 4 months old. Of 40 capital physeal injuries, 35% had concurrent ipsilateral coxofemoral joint injuries and developed more radiographic signs of arthritis (P less than 0.05) than did those that had no other coxofemoral injury. Narrowing of the femoral neck developed in 70% of the healing capital physeal repairs, but in most dogs, narrowing was not associated with segmental collapse of the femoral neck. Neither time interval from injury to surgical fixation nor surgical approach used had an effect (P greater than 0.05) on the development of narrowing of the femoral neck.