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Fracture

A broken paw/leg, now what?

Nowadays there is a wide variety of techniques to fix fractures. Whatever the technique, you should keep your dog or cat as quiet as possible and make sure that any sudden movements are avoided (running up and down the stairs, playing, running).

Techniques

1. Splint

Fractures below the knee and elbow that are hardly moved, can sometimes be stabilized with a splint.

Using a splint is one of the simplest techniques to stabilize a fracture, but it should be placed with the utmost care. A splint that is not placed correctly can lead to irreversible damage to the paw/leg.

Daily care of the splint (e.g. checking toes for swelling, warmth and odour, keeping the bandage dry and clean when going outside) is necessary. A weekly check-up with your own vet is recommended. Never remove the splint unless there are medical reasons for doing so!

2. External fixation

With some types of fractures, it is not possible to fix the break internally, and external fixation is the only option for stabilising the fracture. With external fixation, the fracture is stabilised using pins that are inserted through the skin and into the bone.

Although this is a well-proven technique, it entails additional care and effort for the owner. The wounds must be treated daily and the bandages must be changed at regular intervals.

3. Plate and screws

A broken bone can also be repaired by placing a plate (made of a special type of stainless steel or titanium) against the bone. This can be combined with an intramedullary pin.

The plate is placed internally and is completely covered by subcutaneous tissue and skin. Compared to the above techniques, there is less aftercare required for the owner. Because the university closely follows the latest techniques, we switched to ‘locking plates’ in 2008. The plate and screws are fixed a few millimetres away from the bone, allowing blood vessels to continue growing into the bone. An additional advantage is that the bone/plate construction forms a more solid whole than with a conventional plate.

Practical information

Every fracture is different and requires a tailored approach. Whether a splint, plate or external fixation is required, we will always explain why we have made that particular choice for your dog or cat.

Following a fracture or orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy is recommended. We will guide you through the various options.