Lumbosacral disorders were diagnosed in 43 dogs over a five-year period. Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis was found to be the cause in 30 dogs. The clinical, radiographic and myelographic findings in these dogs are reviewed and the results of conservative and surgical treatment presented. Low back pain was found to be the most important presenting sign. Only seven dogs (23 per cent) presented with a significant neurological abnormality and 15 dogs (50 per cent) showed no detectable neurological deficit. The problems associated with the definitive diagnosis of this disorder and its significance as a cause of pain and lameness in the hindquarters of large dogs are discussed.

Objective-To investigate the mode of failure of transcondylar screws retrieved from dogs previously treated for incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC). Study Design-Metallurgical study. Sample Population-Broken screws (n ¼ 5) from dogs with IOHC. Methods-Broken transcondylar bone screws were retrieved from dogs that had apparently successful surgery for IOHC. Screws were measured and examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis by X-rays (EDX). Results-EDX confirmed that screws were made from 316L stainless steel and there was no evidence of significant corrosion or manufacturing faults that might have contributed to implant failure. SEM of the fractured surface of screws revealed a similar and complex pattern of fatigue failure characterized by multidirectional fatigue cracks and the presence of several initiation sites. All screws had signs of fatigue failure because of multidirectional forces of variable magnitude. Conclusions-Intercondylar instability is a feature of IOHC that persists despite placement of a transcondylar screw. Clinical Relevance-The pathogenesis of IOHC involves chronic intercondylar instability and its treatment using even relatively large transcondylar screws has a risk of late implant failure. r

Fragmented coronoid process in 13 elbows (10 dogs) was treated by medial elbow arthrotomy plus osteotomy of the proximal ulnar diaphysis. All the dogs were skeletally immature and had a lameness of at least four weeks' duration. An attempt was made to measure the disease-modifying effect of this procedure by estimating the development of osteophytosis. Complications were infrequent and never serious. Clinical outcome, overall, was good. This preliminary work indicates that proximal ulnar diaphyseal osteotomy may have a place in the management of fragmented coronoid process in young dogs.

Performing TPLO without a jig should reduce surgery time, eliminate complications related to placement of the distal jig pin and allow unhindered positioning of the osteotomy.

Locking plates are becoming increasingly popular in veterinary orthopaedics. The SOP is a novel locking plate system, which can be contoured with 6 degrees of freedom and which utilises standard bone screws. The purpose of this work was to investigate the mechanical consequences of contouring the 3.5 SOP plate to support the formulation of clinical guidelines. The implants were loaded in four point bending using an industry standard protocol. The uncontoured SOP was found to be significantly stiffer and stronger than the uncontoured 3.5 DCP. Bending, and to a lesser extent, twisting, diminished the SOP's stiffness and strength but the contoured SOP remained at least as stiff and strong as the untouched DCP.

The results following repair of Y-T fractures using SOP locking plates, placed via combined medial and lateral incisions, compared favourably with those reported for other techniques.

In the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament, it is essential that the clinician is aware of each test's features and limitations to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.

Monofilament nylon leader is mechanically comparable to stainless steel wire and potentially a suitable alternative for closure of median sternotomy in the dog.