Corrective wedge ostectomy for an atypical femoral procurvatum deformity stabilised with a supracondylar bone plate

Authors

  • Tesh M Smalle University of Melbourne
  • Gert L Coetzee University of Pretoria
  • Stephanus H Naude Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre

Abstract

Physeal fractures of the distal femur are among the most commonly encountered fractures in skeletally immature dogs. These fractures respond poorly to conservative management and thus early surgical reduction and stabilisation are recommended. A 7-month-old intact male Border collie presented with a history of chronic lameness. Clinical examination revealed a predominantly non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb and concurrent muscle atrophy. A pronounced, but atypical, procurvatum deformity of the right distal femur was diagnosed on survey radiographs. Malunion of a Salter–Harris Type III physeal fracture was suspected as there was an associated history of trauma. A cranially based closing wedge ostectomy was performed to address the femoral deformity and subsequently stabilised using a supracondylar bone plate. The dog recovered well and was moderately weight-bearing lame on the right hindlimb 6 weeks post-operatively. Ten months following the operation the range
of motion had improved in the right stifle and no signs of lameness were evident at a walk. We advocate surgical correction of sagittal plane deformities of the distal femur using the CORA method. Overall, a good functional outcome was achieved, which is consistent with previously reported cases with similar deformities.

Author Biographies

  • Tesh M Smalle, University of Melbourne

    Translational Research and Animal Clinical Trial Study Group (TRACTS), U-Vet Veterinary Teaching Hospital,
    University of Melbourne, Australia

  • Gert L Coetzee, University of Pretoria

    Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Stephanus H Naude, Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre

    Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Case Report