title: Long-term follow-up of working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis using dorsal hybrid plating.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the long-term prognosis for working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) utilising a dorsal hybrid plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Owners of 14 dogs who had a PCA performed as part of a previous study conducted at two small animal veterinary surgical hospitals were contacted via phone and asked to participate in a short survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A phone survey was completed for seven dogs. Five of the seven dogs had returned to full work, one dog had a moderate persistent lameness that prevented returning to normal work and the remaining dog did not return to normal work for reasons unrelated to the study. Removal of the implants was required in four of seven cases at a median interval of 2 (min 0.5, max 2) years following surgery. One dog had no gait abnormality, but developed an occasional mild lameness after jumping, one dog had a constant gait abnormality with a moderate, persistent lameness, and the remaining five dogs had a constant gait abnormality with a mild, intermittent lameness. All owners contacted were very satisfied with the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Working dogs undergoing a standardised surgical procedure for unilateral PCA using a hybrid carpal arthrodesis bone plate applied dorsally have a good prognosis for return to work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study has a small number of cases, this study provides subjective longer-term follow-up data than previously reported for working dogs that have undergone PCA. Owners should be warned that plate removal may be required in approximately 60% of dogs and additional expenditure should be planned for.
authors.affiliation: a Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine , 205 Duck Pond Drive Room 303 (Mail Code 0442), Blacksburg , VA 24061 , USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sawyere
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Jerram
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Pancarpal arthrodesis; carpus; hybrid carpal arthrodesis plating; hyperextension injury; working dogs