Epicondylar plate fixation of humeral condylar fractures in immature French bulldogs: 45 cases (2014-2020).

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to report outcome and postoperative complications following stabilisation of humeral condylar fractures in skeletally immature French bulldogs with a transcondylar screw combined with locking or hybrid locking plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from one referral hospital were reviewed to identify skeletally immature French bulldogs with humeral condylar fractures treated with a transcondylar screw and epicondylar locking or hybrid locking plates crossing the distal humeral physis. RESULTS: Forty-five fractures in 41 different dogs with a mean age of 4 months (range 3.5 to 5) were identified. Six cases had complications: two (4.4%) minor and four (8.9%) major. Short-term clinical outcome was excellent in 35 (77.8%), good in nine (20%) and poor in one (2.2%) case. Forty-one of 45 fractures reached radiographic union without further surgical intervention; the remaining four cases reached union following revision surgery. Long-term owner assessed outcome by telephone interview was graded as excellent in all available cases (26 of 41 dogs). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that the stabilisation of humeral condylar fractures in skeletally immature French bulldogs with combinations of a transcondylar screw and epicondylar locking or hybrid locking plates crossing the distal humeral physis was safe and led comparable outcomes and complication rates to previous reports.

Multi-centre retrospective study of the long-term outcome following suspected traumatic elbow luxation in 32 cats.

OBJECTIVES: To describe reduction techniques and clinical outcome in a series of traumatic elbow luxations in cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of unilateral elbow luxations treated at five specialist referral centres. Data included signalment, aetiology, concurrent injuries, luxation direction, time to reduction, primary reduction technique, surgical procedure and complications. Cases were excluded if reduction technique was unknown. Telephone owner questionnaire follow-up was completed using a Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. RESULTS: Thirty-two cats were included. Lateral luxations were most common (n = 21). Time (hours) until attempted initial closed reduction was <24 (n = 12), 24-48 (n = 13), >48 (n = 3) or unrecorded (n = 4). Luxation was treated by closed reduction alone (n = 7) or by surgery (n = 25); 14 of 25 cases underwent primary surgical reduction and 11 of 25 were secondary procedures following failure of closed reduction. Transcondylar bone tunnels and circumferential suture (n = 19) was the most commonly used surgical technique. Catastrophic (n = 1), major (n = 11) and minor complications (n = 5) were recorded; reluxation occurred more frequently after closed reduction (n = 8) than after open reduction with fixation (n = 0). Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index data were available for 12 cats; outcome was good-excellent in all 12, with a median function score of 64.5/68 (range: 55-68) and a median pain score of 0/15 (range: 0-5). Outcome was not associated with reduction technique. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Elbow reluxation occurred in 61% of cats following primary closed reduction but did not occur in any open reduction cases. Reluxation rate increased with duration from injury. Most cats had good-excellent owner-assessed outcome, regardless of reduction technique.

Multiple idiopathic fibrotic myopathies, including the tensor facia lata muscle, in a cat.

To describe the clinical features and treatment of a cat that was initially presented with fibrotic myopathy affecting the left tensor fascia lata. Approximately 5 months later, the cat was presented again with multiple idiopathic fibrotic myopathies, affecting the ipsilateral rectus femoris and the contralateral semitendinosus muscles. These were each separate lesions and occurred without known history of trauma. Surgical resection of the fibrotic portion of the affected muscles resulted in immediate, but not long-term, resolution of clinical signs.

Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy locking-compression plates for stabilisation of canine and feline ilial body fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes following surgical stabilisation of ilial fractures in dogs and cats using a laterally applied Synthes TPLO locking compression plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and radiographs of seven dogs and two cats which had undergone surgical repair of an ilial body fracture with a TPLO locking compression plate were reviewed. Long-term clinical follow-up was obtained from an owner or referring veterinarian questionnaire. RESULTS: Fracture reduction was anatomic in six of nine ilia and near-anatomic in three of nine. All but one fracture achieved osseous union by 6 weeks after surgery. No screw loosening or implant-related complications occurred in any patient. There was pelvic canal narrowing in six of nine patients (median reduction in pelvic canal diameter was 4·9%). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lateral plating of canine and feline ilial fractures with a Synthes TPLO locking compression plate was associated with a low complication rate and satisfactory radiographic and clinical outcomes in this small case series.

Lateral patellar luxation in dogs: a retrospective study of 65 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the signalment and clinical features of dogs with non-traumatic lateral patellar luxation and to report the complications and outcomes following surgery. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was performed. Medical records were reviewed and the signalment, clinical features, and treatment of dogs presenting with lateral patellar luxation were recorded. In dogs treated surgically, the outcome and complications were investigated. RESULTS: Sixty-five dogs (95 stifles) were included; 39 were male and median age at presentation was 10 months. Breeds were classified as small (n = 6), medium (n = 23), large (n = 27), and giant (n = 9). Lateral patellar luxation was classified as grade I (n = 14), II (n = 41), III (n = 29), and IV (n = 11). Conformational abnormalities were noted in 34 stifles; genu valgum was the most common (n = 28). Higher-grade luxation was associated with a younger age at presentation (p = 0.032) and genu valgum (p = 0.01). Surgery was performed on 58 stifles, 22 of which sustained one or more complications; 16 complications were managed conservatively, four with implant removal and six with revision surgery. Surgeon-assessed outcome was good or excellent in 47 of the 51 dogs available for review. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic lateral patellar luxation is a disease of predominantly medium and large breed dogs. It has several similar clinical features and can be surgically treated in a similar manner to medial patellar luxation with similar types of complications and outcomes expected.

Traumatic fibrotic myopathy of the tensor fascia lata muscle in a Whippet.

A two-year-old female neutered Whippet was referred for evaluation of progressive right pelvic limb lameness. Clinical examination revealed a fibrous band palpable along the cranial aspect of the quadriceps muscle group, and signs of discomfort on extension of the right hip. Computed tomography and ultrasonographic examination revealed mineralization of the tensor fascia lata muscle with enthesophytosis of its origin. Surgical exploration confirmed a fibrous band affecting the cranial border of the tensor fascia lata muscle. Resection of the band resulted in complete resolution of clinical signs. Histopathology was consistent with a fibrotic myopathy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a fibrotic myopathy affecting the tensor fascia lata muscle in the dog.

Avulsion fragmentation of the tibial tuberosity apophysis and associated patellar tendon enthesopathy in a skeletally immature dog.

A 9.5-month-old, female entire, 31.3 kg crossbred dog was presented with a 12 week history of moderate weight-bearing right pelvic limb lameness. Radiographic, computed tomographic, and ultrasonographic imaging revealed progressive avulsion fragmentation of the right tibial tuberosity apophysis and a patellar tendon insertional enthesopathy without physeal involvement. Conservative management was successful in achieving a good clinical outcome. A progressive avulsion of the contralateral proximal tibial physes that occurred concurrently resulted in development of an excessive tibial plateau slope angle. The additional development of a moderate left distal femoral varus deformity was surgically corrected. This is the first report of a progressive, traction injury to the tibial tuberosity apophysis in a dog that appears clinically and radiographically very similar to Osgood-Schlatter disease in humans.

Proximal focal humeral deficiency in a large breed dog.

A 26-week-old female Boerboel was referred for evaluation of progressive left thoracic limb lameness. Computed tomography and radiographic evaluation revealed radiolucency of the caudal region of the proximal humeral metaphysis, absence of the humeral head, and gross distortion of the glenoid. Given the severe glenohumeral deformation, arthrodesis of the left shoulder was performed using orthogonal locking bone plates, lag screw fixation, and bone grafting. Despite late implant failure, arthrodesis was successful in this case, and satisfactory limb function was restored. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of a case of a focal developmental deficiency of the proximal humerus reported in a dog.