| CASE 31
SIGNALMENT:
12 year old female Sheltie
HISTORY:
The owner noted the dog acutely lame in the right rear leg with no history
of apparent trauma or external injury.
DIAGNOSIS:
The referring veterinarian obtained radiographic views of the right
femur which showed a comminuted fracture of the proximal aspect of the
femur, just distal to the trochanteric region.
(Figure 1)
TREATMENT:
Given the very proximal nature of the fracture along with the comminution,
a bone plate was not feasible. An IM pin was utilized for longitudinal
alignment, and an external fixator for added stability and neutralization
of forces upon this fracture. Increased rigidity to the fixation
device was obtained by using a “tie-in” configuration of the external fixator
to the IM pin (Figures 2 and 3).
|
Figure 1
Close-up view of the fracture of the proximal femur
Figure 2
Close-up of external fixator pin inserted in the proximal femur,
entering the femoral neck and head for maximal purchase in bone. |
