Yasuji Harada

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for refracture after radial union in small-breed dogs. STUDY DESIGN:  In our retrospective study, medical records of radial-ulnar fracture cases in small dogs treated with plates and screws were reviewed. General information and postoperative course (days until confirmed radial fracture healing, with or without ulnar union, time to final follow-up, with or without plate removal and refracture) were recorded. The fracture line location, screw positions, radial thickness and width, and pixel values throughout the postoperative periods were obtained from the radiographs. The affected limbs were classified into non-plate removal (P) and plate removal (R) groups. RESULTS:  Refracture occurred in 5 of the 141 limbs at the most distal screw in the P group and 5 of the 40 limbs at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group. Multivariate analysis indicated that refracture was linked to the amount of relative change with growth in the position of the most distal screw in the P group, with pixel value and radial thickness ratios at the same site as the initial fracture in the R group. CONCLUSION:  Reducing the screw diameter relative to the radial width to the appropriate extent may be considered in cases where the screw positioned at the most distal end of the radius is expected to be relatively proximal as the distal radius grows; not removing the plate may be considered in cases with a decreased radial thickness or bone mineral density beneath the plate during plate removal.

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress changes in the radii beneath the locking plates (LP) of dogs implanted with LP using finite element analysis (FEA). STUDY DESIGN:  The study included radii harvested from eight dogs. After computed tomography (CT) scans of the forelimb, the articular surface of the radius was fixed using resin. Material tests were conducted to identify the yield and fracture points and for verification with FEA. The CT data of the radius were imported into FEA software. The radii were classified into three groups based on the placement of the LP (nonplate placement, intact group; 1 mm above the radial surface, LP + 1 mm group; 3 mm above the radial surface, LP + 3 mm group). Equivalent, maximum, and minimum principal stresses and minimum principal strain were measured after FEA at the radial diaphysis beneath the plate. RESULTS:  In shell elements, the LP + 1 mm and LP + 3 mm groups showed a significantly lower maximum principal stress compared with the intact group. In solid elements, the LP + 1 mm and LP + 3 mm groups showed a significantly higher equivalent stress and a significantly lower maximum principal stress compared with the intact group. CONCLUSION:  When an axial load is applied to the radius, LP placement reduces the tension stress on the cortical bone of the radius beneath the plate, possibly related to implant-induced osteoporosis and bone formation in the cortical bone beneath the plate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the signalment and musculoskeletal morphology of small-breed dogs affected by medial patellar luxation (MPL) grade IV based on the age of the CT scan. ANIMALS: 40 small-breed dogs (54 limbs) with MPL grade IV. PROCEDURES: Dogs that had undergone corrective surgery for MPL grade IV and had performed CT of the hind limb before surgery were included. Signalment (age, body weight, sex, laterality, and breed) and concomitant cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) were recorded. Femoral inclination angle, anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), femoral torsion angle, quadriceps muscle length to femoral length ratio (QML/FL), and patellar ligament length to patellar length were obtained by CT images. The dogs were categorized into 2 groups based on their age at the time of the CT scan, the skeletally immature group and the skeletally matured group. Signalment and group were included in the multiple regression analysis to determine the factors associated with each measurement parameter. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the risk of CrCL concomitant with age. RESULTS: The multiple regression model demonstrated that the group was associated with the value of aLDFA and QML/FL. aLDFA was higher, and QML/FL was lower in group SI than in group SM. CrCLR was present in 5/54 limbs (9.2%), with a mean age of 70.8 months and it was associated with increasing age. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In Singleton's classification, dogs classified as grade IV can be categorized into 2 groups based on musculoskeletal morphology and pathophysiology: the skeletally immature and skeletally matured types.