Evaluation of surgical repair of humeral condylar fractures using self-compressing orthofix pins in 23 dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To report short- and long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs with humeral condylar fractures repaired using self-compressing Orthofix pins.


METHODS
Retrospective evaluation with solicited long-term clinical and radiographic evaluations.


METHODS
Twenty-three dogs with humeral condylar fractures.


METHODS
Medical records and radiographs were reviewed. Owners were asked to return dogs for long-term clinical and radiographic evaluation.


RESULTS
Dogs were aged 1.5-26 months (mean+/-SD, 5.8+/-5.0 months) with 20 dogs weighing <5 kg (mean, 3.6+/-2.8 kg). Of 21 dogs with immediate post-operative radiographs, 10 had anatomic reduction with the rest having either a step and/or gap at the articular surface. Kirschner wire migration and implant loosening were the most common post-operative complications. All fractures with adequate follow-up radiographic evaluations achieved union. Twelve of 13 dogs returned for long-term evaluation (mean, 19.0+/-18.5 months) were either sound (10 dogs) or had subtle, weight-bearing lameness (2). Fourteen dogs had radiographs >/=75 days after surgery (mean, 18.7+/-18.3 months), 8 dogs (57%) had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA; mean OA score, 0.8; median 0), and all dogs had good or excellent limb function.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-compressing Orthofix pins are suitable implants for the stabilization of humeral condylar fractures in small breed dogs. Implants were convenient and simple to use and complications were easily resolved. Dogs consistently had good long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes with no or minimal lameness and OA.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-compressing Orthofix pins should be considered for the repair of humeral condylar fractures in small breed dogs.
Guille
April E
AE
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and The Center for Veterinary Sports Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Lewis
Daniel D
DD
Anderson
Timothy P
TP
Beaver
Daniel P
DP
Carrera-Justiz
Sheila C
SC
Thompson
Margaret S
MS
Wheeler
Jason L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D011859:Radiography; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies