SIGNALMENT:

7 month old female Jack Russell Terrier 

HISTORY:

The dog jumped off of a kitchen counter two days prior to referral, sustaining a fracture of the mid-shaft right radius and ulna.  (Figure 1) 

DIAGNOSIS:

The dog was taken to a local emergency center after-hours that night and a soft padded bandage applied, incorporating a splint.  The referring veterinarian saw the dog the next day and recommended surgical fixation.  Upon referral, the bandage was noted to have early limb complications occurring with the toes being swollen excessively. (Figure 2) 

A 6-hole Veterinary Cuttable Plate (Synthes) was applied to the cranial aspect of the radius.  The #3 hole was left empty (no screw placed in this hole) since it was too close to the fracture line.  Final reduction and fixation is very good. 
(Figure 3)

Figure 1
Lateral view of the right radius and
ulna depicting the fracture. 

Figure 2
View of the toes which can be noted to be swollen underneath the bandage.  Swelling is moderate but indicates a need for immediate bandage removal. 

Figure 3
Postop AP and Lateral view showing bone plate fixation of the right radius. Note that the ulna, which is the non weight-bearing bone, is not fixed but aligns secondary to fixation of the radius.  The #3 hole is left empty.

Thank you to Dr. Rodney Robards, Southern Hills Veterinary Hospital, for this referral.
 

CASE ARCHIVES:

Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features.