MODIFIED TRANSARTICULAR EXTERNAL SKELETAL FIXATION FOR SUPPORT OF ACHILLES TENORRHAPHY IN 4 DOGS

Achilles tendon ruptures in four dogs were treated with tenorrhaphy us ing a modified Kessler locking loop suture pattern and postoperative i mmobilization in partial extension of the tibiotarsal joint. The tempo rary immobilization of the tibiotarsal joint was achieved with a modif ied transarticular external skeletal fixation (MTESF). After pre-drill ing the bone, the first fixation pin was placed in the distal tibia an d the second in the calcaneus; they were connected with medial and lat eral connecting bars. This immobilization method was easy to apply and to maintain during the postoperative period. The modified transarticu lar external skeletal fixation was removed between five and eight week s after the operation. All four tendons healed, and all of the dogs re turned to normal function. Modified transarticular external skeletal f ixation is an alternative method of immobilization of the tibiotarsal joint for support of healing Achilles tenorrhaphies in dogs.