Comminuted tibial fracture in a cat
Male, 1 years old, 5 kg domestic short hair
presented with acute 4 grade right hindlimb lameness
reported trauma 10 days ago after falling down from 3rd floor
Referring veterinarian performed chest and abdominal x-ray that detect minimal lung contusion without further damage to internal organs. Blood work (cbc, biochemistry) did not detect any abnormalities. 10 days after the trauma patient was admitted to surgery.
Radiographic exam reveal complete closed comminuted mid-diaphyseal tibial fracture, with severe displacement of fragments.
Surgery with internal fixation was performed, using a Plate and rod technique.
A Fixin V2202 1.9 locking plate was used, with 3 screws on each bone segment,
with intramedullary k-wire.
Post-op instruction consist mainly of patient confinement in a small designated area of the house (restrict jumping and running) and pain management with multimodal approach, initial follow-up radiographs are predicted to be performed at 4, 8, 12 weeks according to clinical condition of the patient.
On Follow-up at 48h, 7 and 14 days post-op owner reports good use of limb
with 1 grade lameness on the operated limb.