Summary
A three-year-old Italian Greyhound was admitted for an acute none-weight-bearing lameness
of the left forelimb, due to a closed transverse fracture of the distal radius and
ulna. Open reduction with internal fixation of the radius fracture was performed and
the fracture was stabilized using a 2.0-mm 5-hole titanium Y-plate. External coaptation
with a caudal splint was added for additional support. The fracture healed with clinical
and radiographic union noted eight weeks postoperatively. Neither implant failure
nor stress-protection osteopaenia occured during the 13-month follow-up period. The
dog returned to full function without complications. Using this method, five additional
dogs were also treated successfully.
Keywords
Distal radius fractures - dogs - titanium plate fixation - stress protection osteopaenia