Patellar fracture and patellar tendon rupture in a dog

Abstract

The case of a patellar fracture in a 2-year-old male Chow Chow dog was reported. Clinical examination showed a few superficial wounds, erythema, a slight edema on the lateral aspect of the knee joint, and mild to moderate limping in the right hind leg. The patella was palpated more proximally than expected, while an acute ridge was felt at its distal pole. X-ray examination indicated that it had been fractured into 3 fragments. Following routine surgical preparation and inhalation anesthesia, the right knee joint was accessed through a lateral parapatellar incision. Spongious bone tissue was visible in the articular space due to erosion and loss of both femoral condylar cartilages. Small pieces, which made up the distal fragment, were excised, being considered inadequate for reconstruction. A transverse hole was drilled in the tibial crest, cerclage wire was looped over the proximal patella and led through the mentioned hole and stretched adequately to allow tension-free suturing of the ruptured ends of the patellar tendon, and the wire ends were then secured by a knot. Another thicker cerclage wire was led successively through the quadriceps tendon, the patellar ligament, and the already mentioned hole in the tibial crest and fixed. In conclusion, the removal of smaller fragments from a patellar fracture does not seem to impair articular movement. A patellar tendon rupture can be successfully repaired by the method described here.