CPD article: Fractures of the femur

Abstract

Femoral fractures occur commonly in dogs and cats, accounting for 45% of all long bone fractures. Femoral fractures are classified based on anatomic locational and include fractures of the proximal epiphysis, proximal physeal fractures, subcapital fractures, fractures of the femoral neck, trochanteric fractures, subtrochanteric fractures, fractures of the femoral shaft, supracondylar fractures, distal physeal fractures, unicondylar fractures, bicondylar fractures and fractures affecting the femoral trochlea. In general, femoral fractures are not amenable to treatment with external coaptation, so surgical stabilisation or a salvage procedure is required. Selection of an implant system will depend on fracture configuration and location, and requires a thorough understanding of the forces to which the implant system will be subjected. Complications associated with stabilisation may include premature physeal closure, resorption of the femoral head or neck, malunion, non-union, altered coxofemoral development, implant failure, sciatic neurapraxia, quadriceps contracture, patellar luxation and infection. The complication rate can be substantially reduced by the use of meticulous surgical technique and appropriate implant selection with the prognosis for complete functional recovery remaining good to excellent, providing that an optimal healing environment is preserved.