Courtesy of Dr. Don Hulse, Texas A&M and Capital Area Veterinary Specialists, Austin, TX
8 yr old male Labrador; owner does not know of original trauma, this Lab was a rescue.
A comminuted articular fracture of the tarsus (medial condyle) was reconstructed and resulted in 2 good years of use before the ongoing cartilage damage became too painful. A pan tarsal arthrodesis was needed so that he could continue to walk using the leg.
There was a significant amount of bone loss medially. For the arthrodesis, Dr. Hulse used VTS Orthomix combined with autogenous graft. The transarticular screw was purposely left long in case it broke during the recovery period. The screw was shortened later.
At 2 month follow up: “Healed beautifully”. Good bone fusion and bridging visible.
1 Pre Op AP View bone lossMedial tarsal condyle with significant bone loss
2 Pre Op Lat ViewObvious degenerative changes
3 Post Op AP ViewGrafted site. Allograft is difficult to see immediately post op because it is demineralized.
4 Post Op Lat ViewThe left transarticular screw was purposely left long in case it broke during the recovery period. The screw was shortened later
5 Two Months Post OP FusedHealed Beautifully at 2 months review
6 Two Month Lat View
