Feline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures: A retrospective study of 28 cases

• Published in: Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 38 - 46
• Main Authors: Wallace, A.M, De La Puerta, B, Trayhorn, D, Moores, A.P, Langley-Hobbs, S.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 2009
• Subjects: animal pathology; Animals; bone fractures; Bone Plates - veterinary; cats; Cats - injuries; Cats - surgery; complications; diaphyseal fractures; disease course; disease incidence; epidemiological studies; external skeletal fixation; Female; fracture fixation; Fracture Fixation - methods; Fracture Fixation - veterinary; Fractures, Open - epidemiology; Fractures, Open - surgery; Fractures, Open - veterinary; functional status; Male; methodology; musculoskeletal system physiology; postoperative complications; Postoperative Complications - veterinary; prostheses; radial plating; radius (bone); Radius Fractures - epidemiology; Radius Fractures - surgery; Radius Fractures - veterinary; Reoperation - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; surgery; Treatment Outcome; ulna; Ulna Fractures - epidemiology; Ulna Fractures - surgery; Ulna Fractures - veterinary
• DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-08-02-0012
• ISSN: 0932-0814

Feline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures were reviewed in a retrospective study of cases that were admitted to two university teaching hospitals. A high incidence of complications was noted, with 6/26 (23.1%) of cases requiring revision surgery. Open fractures were significantly more likely to require revision surgery. The two main repair methods were external skeletal fixation (ESF) or radial plating. The success rate was greater for radial plating, with only 1/10 (10%) cases requiring revision versus 4/14 (28.6%) for ESF. However, ESF tended to be applied to the more complicated fractures. Stabilisation of both bones proved to be an effective repair strategy with only 1/8 cases (12.5%) requiring revision versus 5/18 cases (27.8%) where only one bone was stabilised. Synostoses and radiohumeral luxation were noted as complications associated with the fractures stabilised by ESF. Final limb function following recovery was assessed as 'good' or 'excellent' in 93.3% of cases.