title: Stifle arthrodesis using a locking plate system in six dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of the Fixin locking plate system for stifle arthrodesis in dogs and to retrospectively report the clinical and radiographic outcomes in six cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs that had arthrodesis with the Fixin locking plate system were reviewed. For each patient, data pertaining to signalment and implant used were recorded. Plate series and thickness, number of screws placed, number of cortices engaged, and screw diameters were also recorded. The outcome was determined from clinical and radiographic follow-ups. Radiographic outcomes assessed included the measurement of the postoperative femoral-tibial angle in the sagittal plane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six dogs met the inclusion criteria for the study. Mean body weight was 13 kg (range: 3 - 34 kg). Radiographic follow-up (mean: 32 weeks, range: 3 - 52 weeks) was available for all dogs. In one case, an intra-operative complication occurred. In another case, a tibial fracture occurred 20 days after surgery. All arthrodeses healed and no implant complication was detected although all cases had mechanical lameness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stifle arthrodesis can be performed successfully using a Fixin locking plate system.
authors.affiliation: Massimo Petazzoni, Clinica Veterinaria Milano Sud, Via della Liberazione 26, 20068, Peschiera, Borromeo (Mi), Italy, Phone: +39 02 55 30 55 68 , Fax: +39 02 55 30 62 88, E-mail: massimo.petazzoni@cvmilanosud.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petazzoni
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nicetto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Arthrodesis; Fixin; dog; locking plate; stifle