EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH THE USE OF AN INTERLOCKING NAIL FOR THE REPAIR OF CANINE FEMORAL-SHAFT FRACTURES

Static locked nailing was used to repair fractures of the femoral diap hysis in 15 dogs. The implant consists of a 5, 6, or 7 mm diameter sta inless steel rod made up of two parts: the body of the nail, in which there are 13 threaded holes, and a piece without holes that contains a slot for anchoring the jig. Good limb function was obtained after les s than 3 weeks in 12 dogs and these dogs remained sound throughout the study. Radiographic examination revealed fracture healing in 11 of th e dogs, between 8 and 16 weeks after surgery. One dog was not returned for follow-up evaluation until 22 weeks after surgery, complete heali ng was apparent from radiographic examination. The remaining three dog s had to have additional operations, one because of lameness caused by excessive length of the distal screws, one because of a nonunion, and the third because of a sequestrum. Fracture healing in these dogs was observed at 18, 21, and 24 weeks respectively. Loosening of one screw and angulation of the bone occurred in one dog. These complications h ad no adverse effects on clinical outcome. (C) Copyright 1996 by The A merican College of Veterinary Surgeons