Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to report the short-term clinical and radiographic outcome
for the treatment of femoral capital physeal fractures with cortical positional screws
in cats.
Study Design Medical records and radiographs of cats with femoral capital physeal fractures stabilized
with cortical positional screws were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment, bodyweight,
femoral head affected, fracture classification, fracture reduction, implants, concurrent
orthopaedic injuries, osteoarthritis, femoral neck osteolysis, complications and 6-week
follow-up clinical results were recorded. A short- to long-term follow-up was performed
by telephone questionnaire with the owners.
Results Forty-six fractures in 39 cats met the inclusion criteria. In 45/46 fractures, radiographic
signs of bone healing were present and 35/39 cats were assessed as walking normally
by a veterinarian at 6-week follow-up. There was a significant increase in radiographic
signs of osteoarthritis (p=0.037) and femoral neck osteolysis (p=0.001) on 6-week follow-up radiographs. Pre- and postoperative osteoarthritis and
femoral neck osteolysis were not associated with clinical outcome. The mean follow-up
period for the telephone questionnaire was 48 months (range, 5–147 months). Seven
out of 25 owners reported a gait abnormality in the short- to long-term.
Conclusion Femoral capital physeal fractures in cats can be treated successfully with the use
of cortical positional screws. This technique may be considered as an alternative
to other primary fixation techniques and salvage procedures for the treatment of femoral
capital physeal injuries in cats. This technique seemed successful in cats with a
low-grade preoperative femoral neck osteolysis.
Keywords
femoral capital physeal fracture - screw fixation - osteolysis - cats
