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Radial Forearm fracture repair of large Dog!

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Fractures

The surgery described on this page is a fracture of the humerus through the elbow joint. The image to the right shows the location of the fracture.

 The location of the surgery

The first two photographs (Images 1 and 2) to the right are radiographs (x-rays) of a fractured forearm of a large dog. The radius and ulna are both broken, which is typical.

These bones tend to be wider than they are thick. They also tend to fracture in a more transverse way - making plating an ideal repair in many cases.

The first xRay of the radial fracture
Image One 		The second xRay of the radial fracture
Image Two

As seen in (Image 3) here, when these two bones are fractured, the forearm is generally distorted from the misalignment. This photo was taken when the dog was anesthetized for surgery. The leg is clipped of hair, and surgically scrubbed to prepare for surgery.

 The leg is prepared for surgery
Image Three

Once transported to surgery, the leg is draped, and the incision is made.(Image 4) The fractured ends of the bone are exposed to allow for visual reduction and to prepare for the placement of the plate.

 The leg is draped and the initial incision is made
Image Four

One half of the plate is aligned (Image 6) and a drill is used to make a hole in the bone where the screw will be placed.
In Image 7 and 8 we see the hole being drilled and then tapped. Tapping is the process of creating the threads for the screw.

The initial alignment
Image Six 		Creating a hole in the bone
Image Seven 		Creating a hole in the bone
Image Eight

The plate is put in place (Image 9) and the hole and plate are measured to attain the correct screw length. The screw is then placed to hold the first half of the plate.(Images 10 and 11) The plate is checked for alignment before the screw is completely tightened.

Initial Plate
Image Nine 		Initial screw is placed
Image Ten 		Initial screw is placed
Image Eleven

The other half of the fracture is then reduced(Image 12) (aligned) and the plate is held in place. Then the process of drilling, tapping, measuring,(Image 13 and 14) and placing the screw is repeated. This holds the plate in place.

Aligning the second half
Image Twelve 		Repeating the process
Image Thirteen 		Repeating the process
Image Fourteen

Here (Image 15) you can see that the fracture is reduced (aligned). The plate will keep the bone aligned and still while it heals.

 plate aligned
Image Fifteen

The rest of the plate holes are filled with screws in the same manner.(Image 16 and 17) There are generally at least 5 holes and many times there are more. The number of holes depends on the type of fracture and the size of the bone.

Before closing the incision,(Image 18) bupivicaine is used to help numb the area. This helps with pain control.

Adding more screws
Image Sixteen 		Adding more screws
Image Seventeen 		Injecting Pain Relief
Image Eighteen

The incision is closed in layers.(Image 19 and 20) First the muscles, the subcutis, then the skin is closed. Additional pain medication is administered.(Image 21 and 22)

Closing the incision
Image Nineteen 		Closing the incision
Image Twenty 		Additional Pain Control
Image Twenty-One 		Additional Pain Control
Image Twenty-Two

These are radiographs (Image 23 and 24) (x-rays) showing the plate in position. Note the fracture is aligned.
The ulna is also re-aligned, but usually doesn’t require any type of fixation. Repairing the radius will hold the bones firmly while they heal.
The plate will remain in the leg for a minimum of months, and sometimes is never removed.
Removal is based on each patient and its' healing process.
xRays after surgery
Image Twenty Three
xRays after surgery
Image Twenty Four

If you have any questions regarding Forearm Fracture Repair, Please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer all of your questions in person, or call 309-685-4707 We want to ensure that your pet has the best of health.

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