Lag Screw Fixation for Treatment of an Ulnar Styloid Process Fracture with Antebrachiocarpal Joint Luxation in a Cat

Mark C. Fuller,Amy S. Kapatkin,Lindsay A. Parker

doi:10.1055/s-0039-1691827

Mark C. Fuller, Amy S. Kapatkin + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1691827

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Abstract

AbstractFracture of the ulnar styloid process can result in clinically debilitating antebrachiocarpal instability. Previously described repair methods include Kirschner wire and figure of eight tension band wire and/or intramedullary pinning. This case report describes surgical repair of a short oblique ulnar styloid process fracture in a cat using two cortical screws placed in lag fashion. Recheck evaluation confirmed lameness-free full return to function with anatomical fracture healing.

Highlights

Lateral styloid process fractures generally require surgical stabilization to avoid carpal instability and to act as a physical buttress to provide normal joint function.[1]
Due to the small diameter of the feline distal ulna, these types of fractures have traditionally been repaired with one Kirschner wire coupled with a figure of eight tension band.[2,3]
The technique is more employed in the canine patient, whereas in the cat, given the small size of bone fragments, this can be challenging. We describe in this case report an alternative method using a lag screw technique that resulted in anatomical fracture alignment and healing without complication

Summary

Introduction

Lateral styloid process fractures generally require surgical stabilization to avoid carpal instability and to act as a physical buttress to provide normal joint function.[1] Due to the small diameter of the feline distal ulna, these types of fractures have traditionally been repaired with one Kirschner wire coupled with a figure of eight tension band.[2,3] The purpose of this mode of internal fixation is to achieve adequate fragment compression and fixation. The technique is more employed in the canine patient, whereas in the cat, given the small size of bone fragments, this can be challenging. We describe in this case report an alternative method using a lag screw technique that resulted in anatomical fracture alignment and healing without complication

Case Description

Findings

Discussion