Interlocking Nail Stabilization of Canine Femoral Fractures; Clinical Experience and Results of the Nineteen Cases

Abstract

In this study Interlocking nails were used in order to fixate the canine femoral fractures and to examine the effects of the implants on fracture healing, clinically and radipgraphically in 19 dogs. The material of the study consisted 19 dogs of medium-large size, which were brought to Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology because of injuries due to various trauma and consequent diaphyseal femur fractures clinically and radiologically. Following general anaesthesia, the broken extremity was operated, a total of 20 interlocking pins of different sizes were placed. Among the pins used with an appropriate diameter and length, 10 were 8-199 mm, 4 were 8-185 mm, 2 were 8-172, 1 was 8-165, 2 were 6-172 mm and another was 6-160 mm, respectively. In order to lock these pins 46, 3.5 mm diameter screws, with different length were used. It was observed that 1 screw in proximal and 1 screw in distal region, didn't hold in the holes of the pins. Statical nailing was performed in all cases but one. Cases were clinically examined for weight bearing and extremity usage and radiologically, the callus tissue development was monitored. As a result; the idea was that interlocking nailing technique was on alternative to plates by creating enough rigidity, to fixate 1/3 diaphyseal femoral fractures in medium and medium-large breed dogs.