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.

In the present study, it was aimed to apply minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in the treatment of diaphyseal tibia fractures in cats and to evaluate recovery and complications postoperatively. Minimally invasive fracture repair preserves the blood supply of fragments and periosteal tissues which help to result faster healing, less morbidity, and rapid recovery of limb function. The study was conducted on 12 cats with diaphyseal tibia fracture. After closed reduction of the fractures of the cats included in the study, two small incisions were made from the proximal and distal tibia to expose the bone tissue. Plate placement was performed percutaneously through these insicion areas. The plate was fixed with two screws from the proximal and distal incision line and the fixation of the fracture line was ensured. Soft bandage was applied for 5 days postoperatively and animals caged to restrict movements for 3 weeks. X-rays were taken at regular intervals postoperatively and fracture healing was evaluated. In the controls, it was seen that the animals started to use their legs after the bandage was removed. There were no complications related to the very small operation wound and bone tissue. Healing times were determined as 35 days on average. As a result, it was determined that earlier healing was performed and less complication rate compared to open operational techniques.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of an excessive tibial plateau angle (TPA) and change in compressive load on tensile forces experienced by the cranial cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligaments (CCL, MCL, and LCL, respectively) of canine stifle joints. SAMPLE 16 cadaveric stifle joints from 16 orthopedically normal Beagles. PROCEDURES Stifle joints were categorized into unchanged (mean TPA, 30.4°) and excessive (mean TPA before and after modification, 31.2° and 41.1°, respectively) TPA groups. The excessive TPA group underwent a TPA-increasing procedure (curvilinear osteotomy of the proximal aspect of the tibia) to achieve the desired TPA. A robotic system was used to apply a 30- and 60-N compressive load to specimens. The craniomedial band of the CCL, caudolateral band of the CCL, MCL, and LCL were sequentially transected; load application was repeated after each transection. Orthogonal force components were measured in situ. Forces on ligaments were calculated after repeated output force measurements as the contribution of each component was eliminated. RESULTS Increasing the compressive load increased tensile forces on the craniomedial and caudolateral bands of the CCL, but not on the MCL or LCL, in specimens of both groups. At the 60-N load, tensile force on the craniomedial band, but not other ligaments, was greater for the excessive TPA group than for the unchanged TPA group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that stress on the CCL may increase when the compressive load increases. The TPA-increasing procedure resulted in increased tensile force on the CCL at a 60-N compressive load without affecting forces on the MCL or LCL.

OBJECTIVE To radiographically compare patellar ligament length (PLL) in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture at preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up evaluations. ANIMALS 105 dogs that underwent TPLO for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture at a referral veterinary hospital from October 1, 2008, through November 30, 2017. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on dog signalment, surgical procedure, and radiographically measured PLL at preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up evaluations. RESULTS Dogs undergoing TPLO had a shorter PLL at the postoperative and follow-up evaluations, compared with the PLL at the preoperative evaluation. Mean ± SD overall unadjusted PLL decreased significantly by 2.3 ± 3.4% between the preoperative and postoperative evaluation and by 2.8 ± 3.9% between the preoperative and follow-up evaluation. The PLL did not differ significantly between the postoperative and follow-up evaluation; mean PLL decreased by 0.4 ± 3.8% between the postoperative and follow-up evaluation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The PLL was shorter after TPLO in dogs, which was similar to changes observed for humans after high tibial osteotomy procedures. Further evaluation of clinical assessments, joint mobility, ultrasonographic assessments, and kinematic results are needed to determine the relevance of the PLL and whether a decrease in ligament length results in decreased mobility and persistent lameness in dogs, as has been reported for humans.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare surface and cross-sectional structure as well as localized electrochemical corrosion and ion release for cast stainless steel (SS) tibia plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) plates retrieved from dogs with and without osteosarcoma (OSA) and to compare these findings with similar variables for forged SS TPLO plates retrieved from dogs. SAMPLE 47 TPLO plates explanted from 45 client-owned dogs (22 cast plates from dogs with OSA, 22 cast plates from dogs without OSA, and 3 forged plates from dogs without OSA). PROCEDURES Histologic evaluations of tissue samples collected from implant sites at the time of plate retrieval were performed to confirm implant site tumor status of each dog. Surfaces and metallographic cross sections of retrieved plates were examined, and the microcell technique was used to obtain local electrochemical corrosion and ion release measurements. RESULTS Findings indicated that all cast SS plates demonstrated high spatial variability of their electrochemical surface properties and inhomogeneous superficial and cross-sectional composition, compared with forged plates. Greater metal ion release was observed in cast plates than in forged plates and in cast plates from dogs with OSA than in cast or forged from dogs without OSA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that accumulation of metal ions from implants could be a trigger for neoplastic transformation in neighboring cells. Metal ion release caused by corrosion of implants that do not comply with recommended standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials International or the International Organization for Standardization could potentially place patients at increased risk of tumor development.

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of speed on kinematic variables measured by use of extremity-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) in nonlame horses performing controlled exercise on a treadmill. ANIMALS 10 nonlame horses. PROCEDURES 6 IMUs were attached at predetermined locations on 10 nonlame Franches Montagnes horses. Data were collected in triplicate during trotting at 3.33 and 3.88 m/s on a high-speed treadmill. Thirty-three selected kinematic variables were analyzed. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the effect of speed. RESULTS Significant differences between the 2 speeds were detected for most temporal (11/14) and spatial (12/19) variables. The observed spatial and temporal changes would translate into a gait for the higher speed characterized by increased stride length, protraction and retraction, flexion and extension, mediolateral movement of the tibia, and symmetry, but with similar temporal variables and a reduction in stride duration. However, even though the tibia coronal range of motion was significantly different between speeds, the high degree of variability raised concerns about whether these changes were clinically relevant. For some variables, the lower trotting speed apparently was associated with more variability than was the higher trotting speed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE At a higher trotting speed, horses moved in the same manner (eg, the temporal events investigated occurred at the same relative time within the stride). However, from a spatial perspective, horses moved with greater action of the segments evaluated. The detected changes in kinematic variables indicated that trotting speed should be controlled or kept constant during gait evaluation.

OBJECTIVE To quantify concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and fibromodulin in synovial fluid from the tarsocrural joints (TCJs) of horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia and determine whether concentrations would change following arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments. ANIMALS 115 client-owned horses with OCD of the TCJ and 29 control horses euthanized for unrelated reasons. PROCEDURES COMP and fibromodulin concentrations were measured in synovial fluid from the TCJs of the affected horses before and after osteochondral fragments were removed arthroscopically and in synovial fluid from the TCJs of the control horses after euthanasia. Synovial biopsy specimens from the TCJs of affected and control horses were examined histologically for evidence of inflammation. RESULTS Synovial fluid COMP and fibromodulin concentrations prior to surgery in horses with OCD were not significantly different from concentrations in control horses. Fibromodulin, but not COMP, concentration in horses with OCD was significantly decreased after surgery, compared with the concentration before surgery. Fibromodulin concentration was significantly correlated with joint effusion score but not with lameness score or results of a flexion test and was correlated with histologic score for number of synoviocytes on the surface of the synovium but not with score for degree of infiltration of inflammatory cells in the synovium. Synovial fluid COMP concentration was not significantly correlated with clinical or histologic findings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that fibromodulin, but not COMP, could potentially be a biomarker of joint inflammation in horses with OCD of the TCJ.

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.

Objective-To validate use of stress MRI for evaluation of stifle joints of dogs with an intact or deficient cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL). Sample-10 cadaveric stifle joints from 10 dogs. Procedures-A custom-made limb-holding device and a pulley system linked to a paw plate were used to apply axial compression across the stifle joint and induce cranial tibial translation with the joint in various degrees of flexion. By use of sagittal proton density-weighted MRI, CrCL-intact and deficient stifle joints were evaluated under conditions of loading stress simulating the tibial compression test or the cranial drawer test. Medial and lateral femorotibial subluxation following CrCL transection measured under a simulated tibial compression test and a cranial drawer test were compared. Results-By use of tibial compression test MRI, the mean +/- SD cranial tibial translations in the medial and lateral compartments were 9.6 +/- 3.7 mm and 10 +/- 4.1 mm, respectively. By use of cranial drawer test MRI, the mean +/- SD cranial tibial translations in the medial and lateral compartments were 8.3 +/- 3.3 mm and 9.5 +/- 3.5 mm, respectively. No significant difference in femorotibial subluxation was found between stress MRI techniques. Femorotibial subluxation elicited by use of the cranial drawer test was greater in the lateral than in the medial compartment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Both stress techniques induced stifle joint subluxation following CrCL transection that was measurable by use of MRI, suggesting that both methods may be further evaluated for clinical use.