Surgical Repair of Broken Bones in Dogs and Cats

The primary goal of surgical repair is to realign the bones to their correct positions and stabilize them securely. This stability allows the body to create new bone tissue to fuse the fragments together. Various surgical techniques and devices are used in combination

1. Intramedullary Pinning (IM Pin)

• Principle: A metal rod is inserted into the medullary canal of the bone to assist with alignment and provide structural stability.

• Suitability: Ideal for certain types of breaks, such as transverse or oblique fractures with minimal bone fragments.

• Advantages: A popular method with relatively low costs.

• Limitations: Offers poor resistance against rotational (torsion) and bending forces. It may need to be used alongside cerclage wire or external fixation devices.

2. Bone Plating and Screws

• Principle: Considered the Gold Standard for repairing many types of bone fractures.

• Method: Specially designed metal plates are attached to the bone surface and secured with screws to provide the most stable and precise fixation of bone fragments.

• Suitability: Can be used for almost all types and locations of fractures, including complex fractures near joints.

• Advantages: Provides very high stability, allowing the dog or cat to put weight on the limb sooner and promoting primary bone healing.

3. Interlocking Nail

• Principle: An evolution of the IM Pin, featuring a rod with holes for screws that lock the bone on both sides of the fracture.

• Suitability: Most suitable for fractures of long bones, such as the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone).

• Advantages: Provides better stability against both bending and rotational forces compared to a standard IM Pin.

4. External Fixation

• Principle: Uses a device to stabilize the bone from outside the body. Pins are inserted through the skin and tissue into the bone, then connected to a stabilizing bar located outside the body.

• Suitability: Ideal for open fractures with contaminated wounds or comminuted fractures (where the bone is broken into many pieces).

• Advantages: Does not require a large surgical incision, reducing tissue damage. Stability can be easily adjusted post-surgery, and the device can be removed without major repeat surgery.

• Limitations: Requires strict cleaning and care of the pin sites where they penetrate the skin.

Non-Surgical Bone Treatment

For minor fractures with minimal displacement, such as Greenstick fractures or certain fractures in the lower limbs, Splints or Casts may be used without surgery. However, this requires regular cast changes and close monitoring for potential complications.

Post-Operative Care

Regardless of the surgical method, strict restriction of movement for 6–12 weeks is essential. Physical therapy is also crucial for restoring muscle and joint function, ensuring the bone heals completely, and reducing the risk of complications.