Demography, management and outcomes of canine physeal fractures (103 cases)

This study is a retrospective review of the demography, management, complications and outcomes of canine physeal fractures.

Clinical records were reviewed for dogs with appendicular physeal fractures, and descriptive statistical analysis was applied to the data set.

One hundred and three fractures were included, of which 68 had follow-up. Fractures of the distal humerus were the most common (n = 57), followed by proximal tibial fractures (n = 16). Outcome was fair for most fractures at all locations, aside from the distal humerus, where most outcomes were good. At radiographic follow-up, most physes were closed at all locations aside from the distal tibia. Implant removal to allow ongoing physeal growth was performed in only 3/18 (17%) fractures, in 15/18 (83%) implant removal related to complications.

Only short-term follow-up data were present, and hence it is not possible to give a longer term indication of return to function.

The management and demography of canine physeal fractures have evolved considerably from previous publications. Routine implant removal to allow ongoing growth was not regularly performed at all locations in this cohort.