title: Distraction osteogenesis for treatment of premature physeal closure and shortening of the third and fourth metatarsals of a dog.
abstract: A 4-month-old Siberian husky was presented for a history of lameness of the left hind limb. Physical and radiographic examination revealed a 1-cm shortening of metatarsals III and IV, with subsequent hyperextension of the digits on the left hind paw. A circular external skeletal fixator was used to accomplish distraction osteogenesis in both metatarsals over a period of 15 days. Treatment was successful in restoring appropriate length of the metatarsals and in resolution of the lameness. At 6 and 12 months after surgery, the owner reported that the dog was ambulating normally and had no complications related to the surgery.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, 379 East Campus Drive, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D006614:Hindlimb; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography