Tibial and Fibular Fractures in Dogs and Cats: Retrospective Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment of 82 dogs and cats with tibial and fibular fractures. Eighty-two (82) cases (47 dogs and 35 cats) with different ages, breeds, and gender admitted to the Clinic of Surgery Department-Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Zagazig University from March 2017 to March 2021 with a complaint of hind limb lameness and were diagnosed as tibial and fibular fractures through clinical and radiographic examination. Dogs were more susceptible to tibial and fibular fractures than cats with the percentage of 57.32% and 42.68% respectively. Young animals less than one year and male animals were more commonly affected with the percentage of 67.07% (55 case) and 57.32% (47 case), respectively. Diaphyseal fractures were the most commonly reported followed by metaphyseal and physeal with the percentages of 81.71% (67 case), 17.07% (14 case) and 1.22% (1 case), respectively. Closed reduction and external fixation using Robert jones bandage and Gypsona/fiberglass was performed in 52.44% of cases (43 case). Open reduction and internal fixation using bone plate and intramedullary pins with or without cerclage wire was performed in 47.56% of cases (39 case). Regarding to healing of fractured bone successful results were attained in 86.59% of cases (71 case), while the other 13.41% of cases (11 case) had complications of mal-union, implant failure and osteomyelitis. Concerning closed reduction and external fixation, successful healing was reported in 83,72% of cases (36 case), while 16.28% of cases (7 cases) had complications of mal-union (4 cases treated with Robert jones bandage and 3 cases treated with cast/fiberglass). In open reduction and internal fixation, successful healing was reported in 89.74% of cases (35 case), while 10.26% of cases (4 cases) had complications of implant failure in 3 cases treated with intramedullary pins and osteomyelitis in one case treated with bone plate and screws. Open reduction and internal fixation methods are the proper treatment for tibial and fibular fractures if the proper surgical techniques were applied.