title: Assessment of humeral length in dogs after repair of Salter-Harris type IV fracture of the lateral part of the humeral condyle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of fracture and subsequent repair on future bone growth of the humerus after Salter-Harris type IV fracture of the lateral part of the humeral condyle (LPHC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n=11).
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs that had LPHC fracture and an open distal humeral physis repaired (1992-2006) were re-examined and radiographed at >or=12 months of age and humeral length was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measurements from 11 dogs showed a significant (P=.02) increase in length of the humeral diaphysis of the affected leg compared with that of the intact limb (median, 1.2%; range, 1.3-3.4%). Condylar deformity secondary to growth disturbance was not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shortening or growth deformity was not observed after fracture and repair even if a transcondylar screw was placed through the distal humeral growth plate. A mild overgrowth of the humeral diaphysis was observed, although likely considered clinically unimportant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fracture of the LPHC and subsequent repair in dogs >3 months of age do not impair growth of the humeral diaphysis. A transcondylar humeral screw placed through the humeral physis will not result in shortening of the humeral diaphysis. Implant removal to allow for further growth is therefore not indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, Cambridgeshire, UK. jbl26@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jean-Benoit G N G
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: Thomas R A
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Baines
authors.forename: Nicholas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: Sorrel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Langley-Hobbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006811:Humerus / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome