Gl. Coetzee, BONE HEALING FOLLOWING 2 METHODS OF NONRIGID TIBIAL OSTEOTOMY REPAIR IN THE DOG, Journal of the South African Veterinary Medical Association, 64(1), 1993, pp. 20-27
Bone healing was assessed after stabilisation of transverse tibial ost
eotomies in adult Beagles (n = 6) with intramedullary pins, in conjunc
tion with modified Mennen clamp-on plates to counteract rotation. Post
-operative return to full limb function was compared to that after use
of a two-pin, uniplanar (Type I) external skeletal fixator and an int
ramedullary pin combination (n = 6). Additional external splinting was
not used. The dogs were graded weekly after exercise, according to a
functional performance grading scale. All of the clamp-on plates were
well tolerated. Bony periosteal callus incorporated the crimp arms and
the mean time required for full limb function was 7 weeks. The clinic
al performance of the dogs, with the external skeletal fixators and in
tramedullary pins, was consistently lower during the initial 4 weeks.
Soft tissue swellings with pin-tract drainage occurred, but resolved f
ollowing removal of the transcortical fixation pins. These dogs return
ed to full limb function with bony bridging callus after 8 to 9 weeks.
Quantitative assessment of the bone activity, using sequential scinti
graphy at weekly intervals, suggested consolidation of the callus 6 we
eks after the operation for the clamp-on plate and pin combination, an
d at 7 weeks for the external skeletal fixator and pin combination.