Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(04): A1-A35
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810272
PODIUM ABSTRACTS

Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis or Total Hip Replacement for the Treatment of Femoral Capital Physeal Dysplasia in Cats

M. de la Vega
1   ACCESS Bone and Joint Center, Culver City, California, United States
,
L. P. Guiot
1   ACCESS Bone and Joint Center, Culver City, California, United States
,
D. J. Marcellin-Little
2   JD Wheat Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, United States
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    Introduction: Femoral capital physis fractures in cats require prompt diagnosis and surgery. Traditional surgical options included femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires or screws. Emerging options include minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) with fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pinning (FGPP) and total hip replacement (THR). This study retrospectively evaluated outcomes of FGPP and THR in treating femoral capital physis fractures, hypothesizing that both procedures would provide acceptable functional outcomes.

    Materials and Methods: Medical records of 32 cats (42 fractures) were reviewed, with preoperative and postoperative radiographs used to assess fracture displacement, femoral neck osteolysis, and hip osteoarthritis in FGPP. Recheck physical examination and owner questionnaires using the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) were used to evaluate clinical outcomes.

    Results: Of the 42 fractures, 31 were repaired with FGPP and 11 with THR. Lameness improved in all cats, with complete resolution in 14/18 FGPP cats (78%; 21 repairs) and all THR cats (100%; 11 repairs). Complications included two FGPP cases of pin migration requiring removal, with lameness resolving postsurgery. One FGPP case had severe neck resorption, and another developed significant remodelling. THR was recommended for both cases, but they were lost to follow-up. A THR case had improper stem insertion, which was immediately revised. It sustained a superficial infection that resolved with cefovecin and had fully recovered by the time of the 12-week reevaluation.

    Discussion/Conclusion: Both FGPP and THR were effective treatments for femoral capital physeal fractures. Based on responses to a questionnaire, owner satisfaction was good or excellent in all cases.

    Acknowledgment

    None.


     

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    15 July 2025

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