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Management of a distal metaphyseal radial fracture in a dog with a mini T-plate

DISTAL radial fractures in toy breeds of dog are difficult to treat due to poor vascularity (Welch and others 1997). The mini T-plate is a suitable choice of implant for stabilising unstable distal radial fractures in toy breed dogs, as the distal fragment is very small (Hamilton and Langley-Hobbs 2005). This short communication describes the management of a distal metaphyseal radial fracture in a spitz dog using a mini T-plate developed at the authors’ institution. A two-and-a-half-year-old male spitz dog weighing 6 kg was presented to the small animal orthopaedic unit of Madras Veterinary College Hospital with a history of traumatic injury to the right forelimb, and showing signs of pain, swelling and crepitus of the right antebrachium and carpus on palpation. Radiographic examination revealed the presence of an unstable distal metaphyseal fracture of the right radius and ulna (Fig 1). At the time of writing, mini T-plates for veterinary use are not commercially available in India. A 2 mm mini T-plate (316-L stainless steel) with dimensions of 4 mm width x 10 mm horizontal length x 40 mm vertical height, with seven round holes, was devised at the authors’ institution in collaboration with a dental implant unit. A prototype was initially designed using the radiograph of the normal contralateral limb, and was applied to a bone model to determine its suitability. Self-tapping screws varying in length from 8 mm to 10 mm were made based on the preoperative radiographic measurements. The dog was anaesthetised and the fracture site was approached by making a craniomedial incision. An arthrotomy was performed and the fracture fragments were exposed and reduced. The mini T-plate was contoured to match the cranial surface of the radius and then secured using 2 mm self-tapping screws. The distal screws were placed first to anchor the plate, and the proximal screws were placed afterwards. The surgical wound was closed routinely. A modified Robert-Jones bandage was applied over the limb, and complete rest was advised.