Outcomes of 15 dogs and two cats with metabone fractures treated with fluoroscopically guided normograde metabone pinning

Objective: To report the outcomes of 15 dogs and two cats with metabone fractures treated with fluoroscopically guided normograde metabone pinning (FGNMP).

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: A total of 15 client owned dogs and two cats with 57 metabone fractures.

Methods: Description of FGNMP and reporting of the following data: signalment, pre- and postoperative radiographs, intramedullary pin diameter used, anesthesia, surgery and coaptation times, duration to normal weightbearing and bone union, postoperative care and complications.

Results: Median surgery time was 54 min (range: 26-99), median duration of coaptation was 14 days (range: 1-5 weeks), median time to normal weightbearing was 16 days (range: 2-45) and median time to bone union was 6 weeks (range: 4-12). All cases had at least 12 months of post-surgical follow-up with a median follow-up of 18 months (range: 12-70). No major complications occurred. Mild radiographic changes associated with subchondral bone sclerosis were noted on follow-up radiographs in 13/57 fractures. All cases returned to normal gait and full (15) or acceptable (2) function.

Conclusion: In this study, FGNMP was an effective and safe technique for metabone fracture repair, requiring only short-term external coaptation in most patients. Time to bone union and return to normal function compared favorably to previously reported techniques.

Clinical relevance: Fluoroscopically guided normograde metabone pinning provides an alternative technique for treatment of metabone fractures.