This study was divided into two phases. In the in vitro phase, a stain
less steel bone plate was applied to the cranial surface of the radius
in 14 canine limbs. The effect of the presence of a bone plate on bon
e density analysis using radiographic photodensitometry (RP) was evalu
ated by comparing the density measurement of the unplated limb to the
density measurement of the plated limb, The optical density of the pla
ted bones was 12% greater than that of the unplated bones. This inform
ation was used as a correction factor for the in vivo study. In the in
vivo phase, 23 dogs with radial and ulnar fractures were examined for
complications associated with the long-term application of a stainles
s steel plate applied to the cranial surface of the radius. In 14 dogs
, RP analysis was used to compare the plated limb with the normal, con
tralateral limb. No significant differences in radial cortical bone de
nsity existed between the plated limb and the contralateral limb after
taking into account the effect a bone plate had on photodensitometry
readings. There was no significant correlation between the change in r
adial cortical density and the duration of bone plate application, sug
gesting that a steady state between bone loss and bone production occu
rs after long-term plate fixation of the fractured canine radius. The
majority (87%) of the dogs with a plate applied to the radius greater
than 1 year had normal limb usage when standing, walking, or running.
(C) Copyright 1994 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons