Locking Plate Fixation for Canine Acetabular Fractures

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to document application of locking plates for stabilization of acetabular fractures along with complications and clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that complications and clinical outcomes would be comparable to historical reports using non-locking plate and screw constructs. Study Design Medical records of dogs presented with acetabular fractures at a single referral centre between 2010 and 2018 were reviewed. Cases surgically managed by open reduction and internal fixation, involving placement of at least one locking plate and screws, were included. Signalment, fracture classification, type of implant used, additional methods of stabilization, along with complications and neurological deficits, were collected. Long-term follow-up was based on Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire. Results Eighteen acetabula were repaired in 17 dogs. Locking implants were VetLOX (4/18), string-of-pearls (7/18) and locking compression plates (7/18). Locking plates and screws were used as the sole method of fixation in 10/18 acetabula, and as adjunctive fixation with other implants in 8/18 acetabula. Two minor complications and one catastrophic complication were reported. Sixteen of seventeen dogs returned to function with radiographic documentation of fracture healing. Complication rate was comparable to historic reports using non-locking implants. Long-term outcomes assessed by Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire were positive in most cases. Conclusion Locking plates are a viable means of stabilizing acetabular fractures in dogs and can provide positive clinical outcomes. Surprisingly, problems including inaccurate fracture reduction and implant loosening were not fully avoided by use of locking implants but incidence was low.

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

“…Other studies have hypothesized that the greater soft tissue exposure needed for perpendicular drilling when using locking implants could be related to a higher risk for injuries to occur. 18 similar to the numbers reported by Haine and colleagues (11/16). 16 All of our patients recovered function by the time of the first follow-up examination; this is a more immediate return to function than previously reported by Haine and colleagues where 3/17 patients presented with persistent deficits at follow-up examination.…”

“…5,16,17 Reported methods in cats include the following: figure-of-8 wire, screws and pins 17 ; figure-of-8 wire, screws and pins with polymethylmethacrylate 17 ; veterinary acetabular plates 5 and dynamic compression plate. 16 The stabilization of acetabular fractures with locking implants has recently been described in 17 dogs, 18 while previous reports in cats only included a total of 4 cases. 5,16 The objective of this study was to describe the clinical outcome and complications associated with the surgical application of locking implants for acetabular fractures in cats.…”

Humeral intracondylar fissures in French bulldogs

“…This clinical metrology instrument has been validated as a tool for assessing canine osteoarthritis with correlation to forceplatform data, 32 and its use has been reported in both dogs with elbow osteoarthritis 33 and to assess outcomes after articular fracture repair. 34 The LOAD scores were reported to be low in six of nine patients (range 1-10) and moderate in two of nine patients (11 and 12). Our mean follow-up of 42 months is similar to the 43 months reported by Gordon et al 35 All 13 elbows in that study developed post-traumatic osteoarthritis after HCF repair despite near anatomic reduction.…”

“…The decision to use the LOAD questionnaire to assess long‐term outcome was largely due to the retrospective nature of this case series. This clinical metrology instrument has been validated as a tool for assessing canine osteoarthritis with correlation to force‐platform data, 32 and its use has been reported in both dogs with elbow osteoarthritis 33 and to assess outcomes after articular fracture repair 34 . The LOAD scores were reported to be low in six of nine patients (range 1–10) and moderate in two of nine patients (11 and 12).…”

The comparison of clinical effect, knee function, prognosis of double plate fixation and locking plate internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures

“…18,19 Moreover, the internal fixation screw benefits from strong shear forces and does not detach easily, which further promotes fracture healing. 20,21 This increased stability relative to double plate fixation is conducive to early initiation of functional recovery exercises, thus accelerating joint function restoration and improving prognosis. 22 The results of this study also showed that the fracture healing time of locking plate internal fixation group was significantly shorter than that of double plate internal fixation group, and the recovery of knee function was also better than that of double plate internal fixation group.…”