Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for refracture after radial union
in small-breed dogs.
Study Design In our retrospective study, medical records of radial–ulnar fracture cases in small
dogs treated with plates and screws were reviewed. General information and postoperative
course (days until confirmed radial fracture healing, with or without ulnar union,
time to final follow-up, with or without plate removal and refracture) were recorded.
The fracture line location, screw positions, radial thickness and width, and pixel
values throughout the postoperative periods were obtained from the radiographs. The
affected limbs were classified into non-plate removal (P) and plate removal (R) groups.
Results Refracture occurred in 5 of the 141 limbs at the most distal screw in the P group
and 5 of the 40 limbs at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group. Multivariate
analysis indicated that refracture was linked to the amount of relative change with
growth in the position of the most distal screw in the P group, with pixel value and
radial thickness ratios at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group.
Conclusion Reducing the screw diameter relative to the radial width to the appropriate extent
may be considered in cases where the screw positioned at the most distal end of the
radius is expected to be relatively proximal as the distal radius grows; not removing
the plate may be considered in cases with a decreased radial thickness or bone mineral
density beneath the plate during plate removal.
Keywords
implant-induced osteoporosis - radial–ulnar fractures - small-breed dogs - refracture
- risk factor
