Pantarsal arthrodesis in dogs and a cat: 11 cases (1983-1991)

Bone plates applied to the cranial surfaces of the tibia, the tarsus, and the metatarsus were used in 10 dogs and 1 cat that underwent pantarsal arthrodesis. Lengthening plates were used in 7 dogs, and 2.7- and 3.5-mm dynamic compression plates were used in the remaining dogs and the cat. Radiography was used to determine whether bone plates became loose or broke, and whether the joint fused completely. Bone plates became loose in 5 dogs; mean time between surgery and development of radiographic evidence of plate loosening was 19.4 months. The bone plate used in the cat broke 4 months after surgery. Overall, 9 of 11 animals had evidence of complete bony fusion of the tarsus at the time of the last radiographic evaluation. One dog had incomplete healing of the talocalcaneocentral joint and another dog had incomplete healing of the tarsometatarsal joint.