Tibial tuberosity fracture as a complication of tibial tuberosity advancement.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively compare two clinical subsets of dogs suffering tibial tuberosity (TT) fracture (incidental finding or sudden onset severe lameness) as a complication of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) and to report the surgical management and outcome of TT fracture as a complication of TTA.


METHODS
The medical records of 10 dogs with eleven TT fractures or crest fractures after TTA were reviewed. The outcome and complications were determined from clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations. Limb function was evaluated between six and 12 weeks postoperatively. Owners were contacted by phone for long-term follow-up at least six months after the last examination.


RESULTS
Four dogs required surgical stabilization and six dogs had conservative management. In the surgical group, every case experienced a sudden non-weight-bearing lameness after the initial TTA surgery. In three of the four cases an attempt was made to stabilize the TT and crest fracture while maintaining the TT advancement. Postoperative complications were encountered in three of the four surgically treated cases. Functional outcome was considered excellent in seven cases and good in the other three.


CONCLUSIONS
Tibial tuberosity fracture is a complication of TTA that seems to have a favourable prognosis, although it can result in significant morbidity and in some cases revision surgery may be required.
Mr Ignacio Calvo, Ldo Vet, CertSAS, Dipl ECVS, MRCVS, Lecturer & Head Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Hospital, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, G61 1QH Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, Phone: +44 141 3305 848, Fax: +44 141 3303 663, E-mail: ignacio.calvo@glasgow.ac.uk.
I
I
Calvo
J
J
Aisa
D
D
Chase
P
P
Garcia-Fernandez
F
F
San Roman
D
D
Bennett
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
TTA; dog; fracture; stifle; tibial tuberosity