BACKGROUND: Femoral head osteotomy in cases of fractures or degenerative diseases is as a routine surgical procedure. Less duration of the healing period and the creation of minimal fibrous tissue and its replacement with bone tissue can be effective in return to health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological changes following administration of platelet-rich plasma at the site of  removed femoral head in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were distributed into two groups including: control (underwent femoral head osteotomy, FHO) and treatment (underwent FHO and planting the platelet-rich plasma on surgical site FHO₊ PRP). In both groups after general anesthesia, femoral head was removed using standard method. In group 2, pre-prepared auto log PRP was used at the site of surgery. After eight weeks all animals were euthanised, femur and its  surrounding healing tissues were cut 2cm  far from the head of femur and removed. Slides were prepared from each sample  through serial sectioning and were stained with H&E and Mason Trichrome. Qualitative changes such as granulation tissues, cartilage and bone formation and their organization and timeliness, thickness of collagen fibers and cellular changes were compared. To quantify the changes, whole surface of the Mason Trichrom stained samples underwent scan with ×50 magnifications and then area of different new formation tissues was measured. Average occupancy levels of each tissue, their ratio to whole surface of sample and to each other in two groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: In PRP treated group ratio of cartilage tissue to granulation tissue and formation of bone to granulation tissue is significantly more than these parameters in control group. Results indicate faster healing on the damaged area in group 2. Also in group 2, cartilage and bone tissues formation in the healing process was more orderly. CONCLUSIONS: PRP could accelerate healing of bone tissue that is cut at the head of the rabbit’s femur. So it seems that the use of PRP as a treatment protocol in these cases could be suggested.

As a result of many traumatic factors such as traffic accidents, falls from height, gunshot wounds and animal fights with each other, orthopedic and soft tissue damage, especially fractures, occur in the musculoskeletal system. Among the fractures within these lesions, the incidence of hind limb long bone fractures is higher than other bones. While the incidence of femur fractures among other fractures in cats is 20-26%, tibia fractures constitute a significant proportion of approximately 20% of other fractures. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the distribution, etiology, treatment, and treatment results of fractures in cats with hind limb bone fractures (n=92). In addition to the use of intramedullary nails and plates, external fixators are also used for the treatment of hind limb bone fractures. Despite the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, most of the time no problems are observed during the application of these techniques and in the postoperative period. A functional recovery was observed in all cats at postoperative follow-up. As a result, it can be said that the method to be used in hind limb bone fractures in cats varies according to the surgeon's preference, experience, and existing orthopedic material inventory. However, anatomical locking plates have the advantages of not using postoperative bandages and allowing the limb to be used early.

The aim of this study was to present 6 dogs and 2 cats treated with handmade external fixator. The animals included in the study had 3 cases of non-union, 1 case of luxation, and 4 cases of fracture. All the cases were successfully treated with a handmade external fixator which was made from an endotracheal tube and epoxy. There were no complications developed except for light leakage in the pin site in one case. All of the animals had started to use their extremities in the early postoperative period, except for one case. As the fixator provided the opportunity for weight-bearing, increasing stability in the fracture line in the early postoperative period, this provided some beneficial effects on healing. The external fixator made using an endotracheal tube and epoxy can be selected as an inexpensive treatment method for cats and dogs.

Six dogs with unstable diaphyseal fracture of femur of different breeds of either sex and bodyweight ranging from 10 to 30 kg presented to the Small Animal Orthopedic Unit of the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, over a period of two years underwent fracture fixation with latest technique of linear locking compression plates. Different sizes and length of new generation locking plate system were used for different configuration of unstable fracture of femur. The post operative assessment of fracture healing was evaluated by radiographs at different intervals and estimation of bone specific serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme by fluorimetric methods. In the present study, the locking compression plating technique provided adequate apposition, stable fixation and promoted early weight bearing of traumatized limb. The locking plate system had a unique combi hole design in a single implant and enabled to select the function best suited for the fracture configuration to achieve the most stable fixation. The locking plate system acted as a single beam construct which increased the stiffness of the implant and was found appropriate in management of unstable or comminuted diaphyseal fracture of femur in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the 3-D geometry of canine pelves and to characterize the long-term effects of juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) on pelvic geometry by comparing the pelvic configuration between littermates that did and did not undergo the procedure. ANIMALS 24 Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or Labrador Retriever–Golden Retriever crossbred service dogs from 13 litters. PROCEDURES At 16 weeks old, puppies with a hip joint distraction index ≥ 0.5 were randomly assigned to undergo thermal JPS (n = 9), mechanical JPS (7), or a sham (control) surgical procedure (8). Ten years later, each dog underwent a CT scan of the pelvic region. Modeling software was used to create 3-D reconstructions from the CT scans, and various pelvic measurements were made and compared among the 3 treatments. RESULTS Compared with the control treatment, thermal and mechanical JPS increased the hemipelvis acetabular angle by 4°, the acetabular angle of lateral opening by 5°, and the orientation of the medial acetabular wall in a transverse plane by 6°, which indicated that JPS increased dorsal femoral head coverage by the acetabulum. Both JPS procedures decreased the pelvic canal area by approximately 20% and acetabular inclination by 6° but did not alter acetabular retroversion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that thermal and mechanical JPS were equally effective in altering the 3-D pelvic geometry of dogs. These findings may help guide future studies of alternatives for optimizing canine pelvic anatomy to minimize the risk of hip dysplasia and associated osteoarthritis.

Objective - To compare accuracy of a noninvasive single-plane fluoroscopic technique with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) for determining 3-D femorotibial poses in a canine cadaver with normal stifle joints. Sample- Right pelvic limb from a 25-kg adult mixed-breed dog. Procedures- A CT scan of the limb was obtained before and after metal beads were implanted into the right femur and tibia. Orthogonal fluoroscopic images of the right stifle joint were acquired to simulate a biplanar fluoroscopic acquisition setup. Images were obtained at 5 flexion angles from 110° to 150° to simulate a gait cycle; 5 cycles were completed. Joint poses were calculated from the biplanar images by use of RSA with CT-derived beaded bone models and compared with measurements obtained by use of CT-derived nonbeaded bone models matched to single-plane, lateral-view fluoroscopic images. Single-plane measurements were performed by 2 observers and repeated 3 times by the primary observer. Results- Mean absolute differences between the single-plane fluoroscopic analysis and RSA measurements were 0.60, 1.28, and 0.64 mm for craniocaudal, proximodistal, and mediolateral translations, respectively, and 0.63°, 1.49°, and 1.58° for flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal-external rotations, respectively. Intra- and interobserver repeatability was strong with maximum mean translational and rotational SDs of 0.52 mm and 1.36°, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance- Results suggested that single-plane fluoroscopic analysis performed by use of CT-derived bone models is a valid, noninvasive technique for accurately measuring 3-D femorotibial poses in dogs.

Objective- To compare accuracy of a noninvasive single-plane fluoroscopic analysis technique with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) for determining 3-D femorotibial poses in a canine cadaver stifle joint treated by tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Sample- Left pelvic limb from a 25-kg adult mixed-breed dog. Procedures- A CT scan of the left pelvic limb was performed. The left cranial cruciate ligament was transected, and a TPLO was performed. Radiopaque beads were implanted into the left femur and tibia, and the CT scan was repeated. Orthogonal fluoroscopic images of the left stifle joint were acquired at 5 stifle joint flexion angles ranging from 110° to 150° to simulate a gait cycle; 5 gait cycles were completed. Joint poses were calculated from the biplanar images by use of a digitally modified RSA and were compared with measurements obtained by use of hybrid implant-bone models matched to lateral-view fluoroscopic images. Single-plane measurements were performed by 2 observers and repeated 3 times by the primary observer. Results- Mean absolute differences between results of the single-plane fluoroscopic analysis and modified RSA were 0.34, 1.05, and 0.48 mm for craniocaudal, proximodistal, and mediolateral translations, respectively, and 0.56°, 0.85°, and 1.08° for flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal-external rotations, respectively. Intraobserver and interobserver mean SDs did not exceed 0.59 mm for all translations and 0.93° for all rotations. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance- Results suggested that single-plane fluoroscopic analysis by use of hybrid implant-bone models may be a valid, noninvasive technique for accurately measuring 3-D femorotibial poses in dogs treated with TPLO.