Titanium Elastic Nails for Distal Radius-ulna Fractures in Young Dogs

Background: Radius-ulna is the most frequently fractured bone of the pectoral limb in dogs with high predisposition to distal fractures. The smaller size of the distal fragment and open physis restrict the use of rigid fracture fixation techniques in distal fractures of growing dogs. Titanium elastic nails (TENs) are recommended in medical practice to stabilize long bone fractures in children. There is paucity of literature on TENs for the repair of radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Methods: This clinical study enrolled 10 dogs (7 grey hound and one each of Crossbred, Pomerenarian and Siberian Husky) suffering from distal radius-ulna (6 transverse and 4 short oblique) fractures since a mean±SD duration of 3.40±4.5 days. The mean±SD age and body weight of the dogs was 12.60±6.45 months and 14.09±6.41 kg, respectively. All except one fracture was stabilized with two TENs inserted into the medullary canal of radial bone in a normograde manner from distal to proximal end using open cranio-lateral surgical approach. Result: Majority fractures achieved satisfactory reduction (n=8), radiographically. Weight bearing scores on walking increased gradually from day 12 (1.62±1.51) to 45th (2.57±1.51), day 60th (3.75±0.5) and day 90 (4.0±0). Five dogs had uneventful recovery whereas remaining had major (n=2) or minor (n=3) complications. The length of the operated bone was non-significantly lesser as compared to contralateral healthy bone on day 60. Goniometric assessment of carpal joint of operated limb showed restricted range of motion on day 12 that improved to the near normal as contralateral healthy limb on day 60. Long-term results showed full (9) and acceptable (1) functional outcome. In conclusions, the TENs technique is simple and less invasive alternative fixation technique for distal radius-ulna fractures in young and light weighing dogs. As per authors, this is the first report on the use of TENs for the management of radius-ulna fracture in dogs.