Feline Distal Tibial Physeal Fracture Repair Using a Modified Cross-Pin Technique with Four Pins

Abstract

Objective The aim of this article was to report the surgical technique and clinical outcome of a modified cross-pin technique for the treatment of distal tibial physeal fractures in cats without postoperative external coaptation. Study Design This study was a retrospective clinical study. Animals A total of 9 cats were presented with fracture of the distal tibial physis. Materials and Methods Medical records from July 2014 to September 2018 were reviewed. In all cases, a second medial and a craniolateral Kirschner wires were added to the traditional cross-pin technique. Information reviewed included orthogonal radiographs pre- and post-surgery and at subsequent re-examinations, subjective assessment of lameness and passive range of motion, veterinary clinical assessment and completion of a functional questionnaire (feline musculoskeletal pain index) at the time of writing this report. Eight owners completed the questionnaire. The mean questionnaire follow-up time was 12.7 months. Results Uncomplicated fracture healing occurred in all patients. Two patients required implant removal due to Kirschner wire migration and protrusion through the skin at 5 and 12 months post-surgery. No other complications were noticed. Eight patients had an excellent outcome, and one patient had a good outcome. Conclusion Distal tibial physeal fractures in cats can be treated successfully with the use of a modified cross-pin technique and without the use of external coaptation. Prognosis should be considered favourable for this type of fracture.

Locking Compression Plate Fixation of Feline Acetabular Fractures: Application, Complications and Perioperative Outcome

“…[32][33][34][35] Ultimately, in the absence of objective methods to assess limb function, such as ground reaction force analysis, owner questionnaires (and more specifically FMPI) have been most used to assess patients' function and surgical outcomes after acetabular fractures 5,36 and other orthopaedic conditions. [32][33][34][35] This study has several limitations. The inherent ones related to its retrospective nature, lack of a control group and long-term radiographic follow-up, the use of subjective measurements at perioperative and long-term follow-up.…”

“…32 The authors believe that patients affected by coxo-femoral joint disease, such as osteoarthritis, pain and muscle wastage, 2 would have shown impairments in their quality of life detectable by owners and therefore reflected in the FMPI results. [32][33][34][35] Ultimately, in the absence of objective methods to assess limb function, such as ground reaction force analysis, owner questionnaires (and more specifically FMPI) have been most used to assess patients' function and surgical outcomes after acetabular fractures 5,36 and other orthopaedic conditions. [32][33][34][35] This study has several limitations.…”

“…32 33 34 35 Ultimately, in the absence of objective methods to assess limb function, such as ground reaction force analysis, owner questionnaires (and more specifically FMPI) have been most used to assess patients' function and surgical outcomes after acetabular fractures 5 36 and other orthopaedic conditions. 32 33 34 35…”

“…Catastrophic complications, such as implant failure or refracture, could have caused an acute lameness that may have been detected by the owners and identified by the FMPI as this event has been shown to in other reports. 33 36 Studies evaluating long-term objective clinical outcomes are warranted.…”

The effect of grip location on Kirschner wire bend characteristics: An in vitro study

“…Kirschner wires (K-wires) have various applications in many veterinary and human orthopedic procedures. [1][2][3] They are commonly used to stabilize the tibial tuberosity following transposition as part of patellar luxation correction, 4,5 primary fixation during Salter Harris fracture reduction, 1,4,[6][7][8] imparting additional stability for humeral condyle fracture fixation, 1,4,9 and as part of tension band constructs in opposing tensile forces across an osteotomy or fracture site. [10][11][12] After placement, these…”