Summary
Proximal femoral physeal fractures were surgically created unilaterally in twelve
immature dogs and repaired using two cortical screws placed in lag fashion from the
articular surface into the femoral neck. Four dogs were euthanatized at two, four
and eight weeks after surgery and evaluated by gross examination, fine detail radiography,
fine detail angiography and histology. Mild to severe injury to the articular cartilage
of the acetabulum was observed in all operated joints. Narrowing of the femoral neck
was evident on fine detail radiographs and was most severe at week four. Metaphyseal
vessels crossed the physis and revascularized the epiphysis with greater than 90%
of the epiphysis being revascularized by eight weeks. Operated femora showed histological
evidence of physeal disruption and premature physeal closure. Osteocyte death in the
epiphysis was evident histologically with viable osteocytes following revascularization
and proceeding from distal to proximal through the epiphysis over eight weeks.
The healing of proximal fe-moral physeal fractures repaired with two, 2.0 mm cortical
screws placed from the articular surface was evaluated by gross evaluation, fine detail
radio-graphs and angiographs, and histological examination. Fracture healing and restoration
of blood supply was adequate for weight bearing. This technique is acceptable for
use in clinical patients.
Keywords
Proximal femur - physeal fracture - blood supply - physis - dogs