Summary
A carpometacarpal hyperextension injury in a cat was treated by pancarpal arthrodesis,
following the failure of conservative treatment. An 8-hole 1.5 mm mini plate was placed
on the dorsal aspect of the distal radius, carpus and third metacarpal bone. An aluminium
spoon splint was used for six weeks postoperatively, until radio-graphs revealed bone
union. The body weights and the dimensions of the distal radius, radiocarpal bone
and third metacarpal bone from the left limb of 15 cadavers were recorded in order
to aid the selection of appropriate implants for future cases.
Pancarpal arthrodesis was used to treat a cat with a carpometacarpal hyperextension
injury. The use of an 8-hole 1.5 mm mini plate applied to the dorsal surface of the
carpus, in combination with limb splinting provided effective stabilization. An excellent
functional result was obtained. Measurements of the radius, radial carpal and third
metacarpal bones from 15 cadavers suggest that 1.5 mm bone screws are the largest
that should be used for carpal arthrodesis in the average sized cat.
Keywords
Pancarpal - hyperextension - arthrodesis - anatomy - cat
