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Background Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is widely accepted for stabilizing the stifle joint in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. However, postoperative tibial tuberosity fractures remain a significant complication, particularly in small-breed dogs. Recent anatomical findings suggest that Sharpey’s fibers (SF) contribute to local structural reinforcement within the tibial tuberosity, but the biomechanical impact of temporary fixation pin positioning relative to these fibers has not been experimentally quantified. Results Eighteen pelvic limbs from nine small-breed canine cadavers (mean body weight 5.98 kg) were randomized to three groups ( n  = 6) based on temporary fixation pin positioning. Group 1 had the pin inserted perpendicular to the tibial mechanical axis at the level of SF. Group 2 received pin placement 3 mm distal, and Group 3 received placement 6 mm distal and inclined from cranial to caudal. All specimens underwent a standardized TPLO, followed by mounting at a standing angle of 135°, and vertical tensile force was applied until failure. Pre- and postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) and absolute tibial tuberosity width (ATTW) confirmed comparable anatomy across groups. Group 1 exhibited significantly higher maximum failure loads compared to Groups 2 and 3 ( p  < 0.017), with no significant difference between those two groups. Fracture configuration differed notably: Group 1 showed complex, comminuted fractures of the distal tibial crest, while Groups 2 and 3 demonstrated simple linear transverse fractures through pin tract at the mid-crest. Conclusions Positioning the temporary fixation pin at the level of the SF markedly enhances the biomechanical resistance of the tibial tuberosity under tensile loading in ex vivo TPLO models. These findings endorse precise proximal pin placement as a modifiable surgical parameter to mitigate fracture risk in small-breed dogs. Future investigations employing dynamic loading protocols and evaluating breed-specific anatomical variations are warranted to validate these results in vivo.

Abstract A prospective clinical study consisting of six bovines (200–300 kg body weight) undergoing open tibial fractures was carried out, to evaluate the use of circular and hybrid external skeletal fixation (ESF) systems for open tibial fracture repair in large ruminants. The ESF systems consisting of 4 full rings (n = 2), 8 half-rings (n = 1), 2 full rings with 2 sidebars (n = 2) or 2 full rings with 4 sidebars (n = 1) were used to treat open tibial fractures. The healing progress of the animals was evaluated based on different clinical and radiographic examinations. The level of fracture reduction, alignment, and fixation ranged between satisfactory to adequate in all the animals. The fixators were well tolerated and maintained by the animals till the complete repair of the fracture. Adequate fracture healing with satisfactory functional recovery was observed in all the animals in about 3–4 months. The different designs of ESFs were found to provide adequate stability in open tibial fractures in animals weighing 200–300 kg. However, the fixators need to be evaluated in numerous clinical cases to establish their suitability in routine clinical settings.

Background One of the traumatic fractures occurring in the hindlimb of the foals is physeal fractures of the tibia. The most common type of proximal tibial fracture in foals is reported to be Salter-Harris type II. Case presentation This case report describes the history, clinical signs, radiographic findings, and surgical management of a proximal physeal fracture of the tibia due to the kick trauma in a 2-weeks-old Kurdish female foal, with signs of left pelvic limb lameness, valgus deviation with non-weight-bearing, non-mobility in stifle region and crepitation in the affected area. In this case, radiography was utilized to confirm the fracture and detect the exact location of the fracture fragments. The Salter-Harris type I accompanied by tibial tuberosity fracture was diagnosed. In this case, a size 4.5 mm seven-hole, T-plate, and cortical bone screws were employed to fix the physeal fracture, and a cortical bone screw was utilized to fix the tibial tuberosity in the normal position. Case follow-up during two months showed no significant complications, and the patient was fully recovered (no lameness anymore). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of Salter-Harris type I fracture in proximal tibia accompanied by tibial tuberosity fracture in a foal treated by a T-plate implant. A cortical screw in lag fashion for tibial tuberosity was utilized in this case for the first time, and the results were satisfying. T-Plate fixation can be recommended as an effective surgical treatment for proximal tibial fractures in foals.

The jungle cat (Felis chaus) is a member of the genus Felis within the family Felidae, native to south‐east Asia, west Asia and north Africa. A 2‐year‐old male jungle cat was referred with a history of lameness of 3 days duration. At the time of presentation, the animal had non‐weight‐bearing lameness of the right hindlimb. Examination identified crepitation and instability in the distal diaphyseal region of the right tibial bone. Radiographs confirmed the presence of fractures in the distal diaphyseal region of the right tibia and fibula. Double plating of the tibia was employed for used fixation. The animal was evaluated 2, 4 and 8 weeks post‐operatively, and the procedure was considered to have been successful with no observed surgical complications. A 2‐year‐old male jungle cat presented with a distal diaphyseal fracture of the right tibia and fibula. Double plating of the tibia was employed for fixation. The animal has no surgical complications.

A 10‐week‐old male, Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican hairless dog), weighing 8.9 kg was presented after its owner accidentally stepped on its paw. The dog presented with acute pain, inflammation and grade IV lameness in the right hind paw. A complete transverse fracture in the right proximal tibia was diagnosed from radiography. The dog underwent a minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) procedure. After surgery, photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field (PBMT‐sMF) was applied twice daily for 21 days. A multi‐wavelength PBMT‐sMF device was applied at three sites using different frequencies: proximal and distal of the fracture zone (3000 Hz, 40.35 J per site, and 300 s per site) and in the fracture zone (250 Hz, 39.11 J and 300 s per site). Follow up radiographies were performed after surgery and treatment with PBMT‐sMF. Eighteen days post‐surgery the healing process of bone was advanced. Fifty‐five days post‐surgery the callus was enlarged. In addition, radiographic union and clinical union was evidenced by closure of the fracture gap. This case report has reported the use of PBMT‐sMF in order to accelerate and improve bone healing following a MIPO procedure on a complete transverse fracture in the proximal tibia of a puppy. ‐PBMT‐sMF can accelerate bone healing after a fracture in proximal tibia of puppy. ‐PBMT‐sMF can improve bone healing after a fracture in proximal tibia of puppy. ‐The addition of PBMT‐sMF to the MIPO procedure may be an efficient treatment after bone fracture.

Distraction osteogenesis was used in 2 wild raptor patients for the repair of tibiotarsal fractures. The first case was a hatching year female peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) admitted with an open oblique right distal tibiotarsal fracture. The fracture was surgically managed with the external skeletal fixator intramedullary pin tie-in technique (ESF-IM pin tie-in). Appropriate healing of the fracture site occurred with the ESF-IM pin tie-in. However, there was significant pelvic limb shortening of the affected leg, and the bird consequently developed pododermatitis on the contralateral foot. The second case was an adult female great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) that was admitted with a closed, partially healed, overriding right tibiotarsal fracture. Because of the advanced stage of this fracture, which presented with a fibrous callus, and the already apparent pelvic limb shortening, the ESF-IM pin tie-in was not used. Both patients were fitted with a circular external skeletal fixator (CESF), and distraction osteogenesis was performed until the length of the pelvic limb was deemed anatomically adequate. It is critical that rehabilitated raptors be released without any physical conditions that may reduce their ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Pelvic limb shortening can potentially predispose a raptor patient to pododermatitis, even with fatal consequences, in both captive and wild environments. The orthopedic technique used here proved useful to repair the limb shortening in both raptor cases, and each bird fully recovered and was released.

Background Peak reverse torque (PRT) is a valid method to evaluate implants’ secondary stability in the healing bone. The secondary stability is achieved by the implant over time and it has been positively correlated with the implants’ osseointegration level. In other words, peak reverse torque is the force required to break the bone-implant interface. The purpose of this study was to compare the peak reverse torque for the self-tapping and non-self-tapping screws used in a dynamic compression plate–screw–bone construct after 60 days of loading when used to stabilize 2.5-cm defects in the tibia of goats. The second objective was to compare the peak removal torque of the screws placed in the different positions to evaluate the impact of construct biomechanics on implants osseointegration. Results In total, 176 non-self-tapping screws and 66 self-tapping screws were used to fix the 8-holes dynamic compression plates to the bones. The screws were placed in the tibiae from proximal (position sites 1,2, 3) to distal (position sites 4,5,6) and were removed 60 days post-implantation. The animals remained weight-bearing throughout the study period. The screws placed in the proximal diaphysis had significantly less peak reverse torque than screws placed in the distal diaphysis in both groups ( p  < 0.05). The peak reverse torque resistance was also significantly less for the non-self-tapping screws as compared with the self-tapping screws ( p  < 0.05). The intracortical fractures in the trans-cortex occurred significantly more frequently during the placement of non-self-tapping screws ( p  < 0.05) as compared with self-tapping screws ( p  < 0.05). Conclusions Based on these results, we concluded that self-tapping screws may be expected to maintain a more stable bone-implant interface during the first 60 days of loading as compared with non-self-tapping screws. This should be a consideration for orthopedic surgeons and scientists using bone plates to stabilize non-load sharing fractures when a stable plate-screw-bone interface is needed to ensure prolonged stability.

Between 2000 and 2003, 99 cattle with limb fractures were treated. Over 50 per cent were tibial fractures, with the femur and os calcis being the second and third most frequently affected bones. Eight of the cattle were slaughtered because of their poor prognosis, 10 were treated by stall confinement, 76 were treated by external coaptation with a Thomas splint-cast combination and three were treated with a simple or reinforced half limb cast; these 79 cattle were usually discharged immediately. One calf was treated with internal fixation, and another by amputation. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone, and the treatments were classified as either completely successful (return to previous production level), partially successful (return to lower production level) or failure. Forty (52·6 per cent) of the cattle treated with the Thomas splint-cast combination were classified as a complete success and 14 (18·4 per cent) as a partial success; the treatment failed in 19 of the cattle and three were lost to follow-up. The animals’ bodyweight, age and sex, and whether the fracture was open or closed, had no significant influence on the outcome. Among the 10 cattle treated for proximal fractures by stall confinement, there were five survivors, four non-survivors and one was lost to follow-up.

Ten cats with a mean age of eight years and five months had suffered proximal transverse tibial fractures; in four of them both tibiae had fractured at different times. All the cats also had bilateral non-union patellar fractures, and nine of them had evidence of fractures elsewhere, including acetabular, ischial, humeral condylar and rib fractures, which had occurred before or after the tibial fractures. All the tibial fractures were proximal and transverse. Radiographically, there was thickening and sclerosis of the cranial cortex adjacent to and at the level of the fracture, changes that were compatible with stress fractures. The outcome of repair of the tibial fracture was known in nine of the cats; eight of them healed and one resulted in a non-union. Two of the cats were euthanased as a direct result of the fracture or complications with the repair.

Five cats were treated for a fracture of the medial malleolus, 10 for a fracture of the lateral malleolus and 15 for fractures of both malleoli. Open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires (K-wires) with or without a tension band wire was applied to 26 of the fractures. Unilateral-uniplanar or bilateral-uniplanar transarticular external skeletal fixators were applied to provide coaptation in 19 cases and appeared to be well tolerated. In 24 cases fracture healing was assessed radiographically between four and eight weeks after treatment. In seven cases fracture healing was good, in 12 cases it was reasonable, in four cases it was poor and in one case with two fractures healing was poor in one and reasonable in the other. The 12 fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires and a tension band wire all showed evidence of good or reasonable healing. The nine fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires without a tension band wire showed evidence of good or reasonable healing in six cases and poor healing in three cases. Complications occurred in nine of the cats and included persistent talocrural instability, soft tissue necrosis, implant migration and external fixator pin breakage. Twenty-one of the cats were followed up by telephone questionnaire for between 5·5 and 84 months; the owner satisfaction was excellent in 17 cases, good in two cases, moderate in one case and poor in one case.