Treatment of femur supracondylar fractures by tie-cross acrylic external skeletal fixator in dogs

Abstract

Femur supracondylar fractures in dogs commonly result from trauma such as vehicle accidents and fall from the height. This study was conducted in six clinical cases of dogs to standardize the technique of tie-cross acrylic external skeletal fixator (Tie-cross ESF) for the treatment of femur supracondylar fractures. Diagnosis involved physical and radiographic examination to assess fracture configuration and healing progression. Following standard pre-operative preparation and general anaesthesia, fractures were reduced and stabilized using tie-cross acrylic external skeletal fixator. Postoperative care included antibiotics, analgesics, surgical wound dressing and physiotherapy for next few weeks following implant removal. Radiographic evaluation revealed early callus formation by day 14 and complete bridging callus by day 60. Clinical evaluation revealed excellent weight bearing with better functional limb usage by day 45. This technique was appropriate, well tolerated by the most of the patients and minimal complications were reported. Tie-cross ESF was economically feasible, provided bone integrity until fracture healing and encouraged the patients to use the extremity during the fracture healing and enabled the joint functions. This technique proved effective for surgical repair of femur supracondylar fractures in dogs.