CASE 50
 

SIGNALMENT: 7 1/2 month old female Weimeraner HISTORY: The dog sustained a fractured femur one day earlier while trying to “climb” a chain link fence. DIAGNOSTICS: Radiographs show a transverse fracture of approximately the mid-shaft right femur, and on examination of the ventrodorsal view, there is also a fracture of the right femoral neck. (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1 Preop lateral view of the femur.

Figure 2 Lateral view showing caudal displacement of the base of the talus  and the calcaneus.

SURGERY:  Fixation of both fractures was achieved during the same surgery by using a Kirschner-Ehmer apparatus along with an IM pin. (Figures 3 and 4). ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Thank you to Dr. Damon Smith, Ator Heights Animal Hospital, Owasso, OK for this referral.

Figure 3 Postop view of the fixation, showing the IM pin and KE applied in a tie-in configuration to repair both fractures.  CASE ARCHIVES: Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features.

Figure 4  Close-up view of the pin across the femoral neck fracture.