[Diagnosis and treatment of sesamoid bone fractures in the dog foot]

Fragmentation could be due to direct injury or the fact that normal sesamoid bones are subjected to repeated stress. Osteochondrosis could also be a factor in aetiology. Multiple primordia of a fragmented sesamoid bone could produce a picture of fragmentation. Combining the results of selective clinical and radiological examination is of importance prior to proceeding to treatment. Both in chronic cases and in the event of failure of a recent fracture to heal after immobilisation, the decision will consist in surgical excision of fragments. The results of surgical treatment in seven out of eleven dogs having one or several fragmented sesamoid bones, which were referred for surgery, are reported-Locomotion was fully restored to normal following surgery in every case. When surgical treatment was carried out earlier, recovery was attained more rapidly.