title: Clinical assessment of a shaft screw for stabilization of the humeral condyle in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the use of a 4.5 mm shaft screw for the management of humeral condylar fractures (HCF) and incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) in dogs, and to assess risk factors for complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with HCF or IOHC that were managed with a 4.5 mm shaft screw with a minimum follow-up of six months from surgery were included. Data from the case records were used to identify risk factors for complications. Long-term follow-up was provided by an owner questionnaire and veterinary re-examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three elbows were treated in 40 dogs (14 IOHC, 29 HCF). Minor complications were seen in four cases (9%) and major complications in 10 cases (23%). There were no statistically significant risk factors for major complication. Infection resulted in shaft screw removal from three IOHC cases. Four of eight IOHC cases that had a lateral approach had a major complication compared with zero out of six dogs that had a medial approach, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.085). Nine of 12 IOHC cases and 20/23 HCF cases had excellent or good limb use at the time of long-term follow-up (median of 106 weeks, range 26-227 weeks). All fractures healed but IOHC fissure healing was inconsistent. Fatigue failure of shaft screws was not seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of shaft screws for the management of IOHC and HCF is associated with a relatively low rate of complications (compared to previous reports) and a good long-term outcome.
authors.affiliation: Andy Moores, BVSc DSAS(Orth) Dip ECVS MRCVS, Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Bunstead Barns, Poles Lane, Hursley, Winchester, Hampshire, United Kingdom, Phone: + 44 1962 767920, Fax: + 44 1962 775909, E-mail: andy@andersonmoores.com.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moores
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tivers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grierson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases; D004285:Dogs; D005552:Forelimb / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Dog; elbow; humeral fracture; incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle; shaft screw