A randomized clinical study to evaluate the plate rod fixation for diaphyseal femoral fracture in dogs

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate clinical effect of working length and rod size for plate rod fixation of diaphyseal femoral fracture repair in dogs. Twenty four dogs with femur fracture were randomly divided into four Groups viz. A, B, C and D having six animals in each group. Three bicortical screws in proximal and three in distal fragments with minimum two empty holes at the center were fixed for short plate working length (SPWL) in Groups A and B with intramedullary rod (IMR) occupying 30% and 40% of medullary canal, respectively. Two bicortical screws in proximal and two in distal fragments were fixed with minimum four empty holes at the center for long plate working length (LPWL) in Groups C and D with IMR occupying 30% and 40% of medullary canal, respectively. Fracture healing progress in all the Groups was assessed using clinical, photographic and radiographic observations. All the Groups showed good functional, radiographic outcome at the end of 14 week post-surgery. The time taken to show complete mobility and weight bearing was non-significantly less in Groups A and B. The functional, radiographic and outcomes of repair were excellent in Groups A and B without any major complications. Short plate working length with IMR occupying 40% of medullary canal of plate rod fixation provided comparatively better stability with fewer complications for femoral fracture repair in dogs.