Repair of carpometacarpal instability after radiocarpal arthrodesis in a dog

A 4-year-old male German Shepherd Dog sustained subluxation of the right radiocarpal joint. A coaptation splint did not adequately stabilize the carpus, and arthrodesis of the radiocarpal joint was undertaken, utilizing a wedge graft and bone plate. Despite successful fusion of the joint, lameness persisted in the affected limb. The lameness was attributed to subsequent carpometacarpal subluxation, which was presumed to result from the added stress of weight bearing on the carpometacarpal joint following the arthrodesis. Arthrodesis of the right intercarpal and carpometacarpal joints, utilizing cortical bone grafts and a bone plate, restored normal gait.