Treatment of a Radio-Ulnar Atrophic Pseudoarthrosis in a Toy Poodle Using an Autologous Coccygeal Vertebrae Transfer and Plate Fixation

Abstract

Description of the treatment of a radio-ulnar atrophic pseudo-arthrosis in a one-and-a-half-year-old female toy tramp dog. Due to a domestic trauma the patient suffred a radio-ulnar fracture. Unfortunately at the time of the first visit we were not in possession of the patient’s medical record and for this reason we did not know the evolution of the previous surgical revision. The owner reports that at another centre, the subject underwent three osteosynthesis procedures (osteosynthesis with radio-ulnar intramedullary nails, plate fixation and external circular fixator), with negative results. After a long consultation with the owner it was decided to perform a surgery to restore the bone radius and ensure good mobility. Our procedure included debridement and canalisation of the bone stumps, harvesting and grafting of the coccygeal VII vertebra, autologous spongy bone grafting, osteosynthesis with VCP1.5/2.0 mm plate and 1.5- and 2.0-mm cortical screws. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were carried out regularly, during which we decided to remove some screw in order to achieve an implant dynamization. At weeks 7 and 16 four screws were removed. At week 60 the plate was removed and further controls at weeks 64 and 90 confirmed anatomical and functional healing. No wound or bone healing complication were reported.