Factors affecting the healing of radial fractures using acrylic pin external fixation in small breed dogs

Abstract

Healing of 48 cases of radial fractures in small breed dogs treated with acrylic pin external fixation was evaluated retrospectively to investigate the factors affecting the healing of radial fractures. The mean age of the subjects was 15.02 months, the mean body weight was 3.48 kg, and the mean maximum length of the radius (MLR) was 90.77 mm. External skeletal fixation frames type 1a, 2a, and 3 were used; among them type 2a was used most frequently (75%). The mean time to clinical union (TCU) was 67.17 days, and the success rate was 95.8%. Age, bodyweight, MLR, and occurrence of complications increased TCU significantly. Among complications, pin loosening, swelling of the operated forelimb tissue for more than 2 weeks, and coexistence of two or more complications increased TCU significantly (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between location of the fracture and TCU. The results of this study may be useful to predict the prognosis of radial fractures in small dogs.