title: Short and long-term outcome following surgical stabilization of tarsocrural instability in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome and complications following surgical stabilization of canine tarsocrural luxations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs which were surgically treated for tarsocrural joint instability between February 2007 and June 2014 were reviewed. Surgical technique, complications and long-term outcome (via questionnaire and Canine Brief Pain Inventory) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four dogs (26 joints) were included. All injuries were traumatic. All joints had associated fractures; malleolar in 21/26 limbs (13/26 medial). Eight joints had internal fracture fixation and transarticular external skeletal fixator, six had external fixator alone, four had prosthetic ligaments with external fixator, and four had prosthetic ligaments with external coaptation. Two joints had pantarsal arthrodesis and two primary ligament repair. Complications occurred in 24/26 limbs giving 45 distinct complications; 16 were minor, 29 major, and 31 complications were external fixator associated. Prosthetic ligaments were significantly associated with major complications (p = 0.017); five out of eight required subsequent removal between 105-1006 days. Cost was significantly associated with major complications (p = 0.017) and soft tissue wounds (p = 0.03). Long-term lameness was seen in nine of 14 dogs. There was no association between pain severity (p = 0.3) and pain interference scores (p = 0.198) when comparing stabilization methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications are common; however many are external fixator related. Prosthetic ligaments are significantly associated with major complications. Regardless of technique, a degree of ongoing lameness is likely.
authors: Lee J
authors: LJ
authors: Beever
authors: Elvin R
authors: ER
authors: Kulendra
authors: Richard Meeson MA VetMB, MVetMed, DECVS, FHEA, MRCVS, Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery, The Royal Veterinary College, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom, Phone: +44 1707 666 366, E-mail: rmeeson@rvc.ac.uk.
authors: Richard L
authors: RL
authors: Meeson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002111:Calcaneus; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013628:Talus; D013977:Tibia
keywords: Canine; instability; luxation; talocrural; tarsocrural; tibiotarsal