title: Proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures in immature dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures in immature dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of immature dogs with metaphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia were reviewed and data were collected on signalment and history of trauma. Craniocaudal and mediolateral radiographs were evaluated for the determination of the bones fractured, location of the fracture within the bone, fracture configuration, and the presence of fracture segment displacement and angulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen dogs with 22 proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All fractures had a curvilinear, complete fracture of the proximal tibial metaphysis. Displacement was identified in 16 fractures and angulation in 15 fractures. All affected breeds were terrier or small breed dogs less than six months of age. The majority of dogs weighed less than or equal to 5 kg at the time of injury. The most common type of trauma that occurred was a jump or fall from a short distance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures are an uncommon injury that occur in skeletally immature dogs from minimal trauma. Proximal tibial metaphyseal fractures have a characteristic curvilinear fracture configuration that affects mainly small breed dogs with a predominance for terrier breeds.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deahl
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ben-Amotz
authors.forename: Ana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Caceres
authors.affiliation: Kimberly A. Agnello, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies - VHUP, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, United States, Phone: +1 215 746 8387, Fax: +1 215 573 9457, E-mail: kagnello@vet.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Agnello
keywords: Metaphyseal fracture; canine; immature; tibia fracture