Retrograde intramedullary pinning for femur fracture management in a Labrador dog- a case report

Abstract

Long bone fractures are very common in pet and domestic animals as well as femur fractures are a major lameness problem of all long bone fractures. Nowadays, there are lots of fracture management techniques performed for different fractures correction based on their nature. The present case report describes the outcome of retrograde intramedullary pinning in a dog. A three-month-old male, 9.65kg body weight Labrador dog was brought to SAQTVH for better treatment with the history of limping in the right hind limb past 3 days. Radiographic examination confirmed that the dog was suffering from distal third diaphyseal transverse overriding femur fracture in the right hind limb. Based on fracture patient assessment score (FPAS), the case was decided to do internal fixation by retrograde intramedullary pinning for femur fracture correction. Complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry was performed before fracture management to evaluate the patient condition. The patient was prepared aseptically and surgery was performed as standard surgical procedure with xylazine and ketamine anaesthesia. Postoperatively the patient was checked at different intervals to evaluate the lameness grade, functional limb outcome and bone healing of the affected limb. Weight bearing and secondary callus formation were noticed at 2nd to 3rd week postoperatively and functional limb was observed at 7th week postoperatively. Follow-up checking by clinically and radiographically was performed until six months of age of the patient. After six months, implant in position and bone remodeling was observed in radiographic examination. Finally, surgical efficacy of the patient was evaluated by phone conversation until the 15th month of age which revealed playful life of the dog. Serum alkaline phosphatase level was increased during the time of the bone healing process especially 2nd to 3rd week postoperatively. So, the present case study suggested that the retrograde intramedullary pinning was an effective method of femur fracture correction for the dog and pin remove was not necessary if it does not cause any complication.