Repair of supracondylar femur fracture in a Lhasa Apso dog by cross pinning technique: A case report

Abstract: A three-year-old Lhasa apso was presented with a history of fall from a height resulting in limping of the right hind limb. It was radiographically diagnosed as a complete, transverse, displaced supracondylar fracture of the femur. The fractured fragments were reduced and stabilized by cross pinning technique using k-wires, and the weight-bearing was seen from 3rd post-operative day. On the seventh post-operative day, the same animal was presented with limping on the same limb due to sudden fall from a height again. Radiographically it was confirmed as catastrophic implant failure with collapsed fragments. In surgery, the migrated pins were removed and the fragments were restabilized by cross pinning using k-wires. Post-operative application of robertjones bandage and regular physiotherapy was provided. The animal showed complete weight-bearing from 10th post-operative day, and the full radiographic union was observed on 35th post-operative day. Keywords: supracondylar fracture, k-wires, robertjones bandage, cross pinning technique