🔍 Key Findings Summary

• No significant difference in mechanical properties between contoured vs non-contoured SOP-LC rods
• Clamp configuration significantly influenced mechanical performance:
  • Single-side clamps → ↑ yield load, ↑ displacement, ↑ bending strength (p < 0.05)
  • Alternating-side clamps → ↑ initial torsional stiffness (p = 0.029)
• Clamp slippage was evident only in torsional tests; screw loosening may be torque-dependent
• Mild screw bending and construct offset suggest subtle instability
• Recommends clamp configuration choice based on loading scenario
• Suggests 3.0 Nm torque may be more effective than 2.5 Nm to prevent clamp slippage

🔍 Key Findings

• All dogs developed progressive osteoarthritis (OA) after surgical debridement of proximal humeral OC.
• Ipsilateral muscle atrophy and reduced shoulder range of motion were common, particularly in unilaterally affected dogs.
• Arthroscopically, lesions showed incomplete cartilage infilling even years after surgery, averaging only ~37% infilling.
• Synovitis was present in all joints, with moderate-to-severe hypertrophy and vascularity scores.
• CT identified OC lesions as deeper and wider than radiography, and all affected joints had more advanced OA than contralateral limbs (P = .001 radiograph, P = .005 CT).
• Kinetic gait analysis showed no significant differences in peak vertical force or impulse, but a subtle 4.4% asymmetric load reduction on the operated limb.
• Median LOAD score was 6, indicating mild owner-perceived disability despite measurable clinical and imaging abnormalities.
• Cartilage infilling was incomplete in all cases, with no lesion exceeding 60% restoration, raising questions about the healing potential of debridement alone.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• IMN provides relative stability, resists bending/torsion due to central axis alignment
• Larger diameter nails = exponentially greater stiffness (∝ D⁴)
• Trade-off: Larger interlocking holes weaken fatigue strength of the nail
• Reaming increases contact/stability but has pros/cons:
  • Improves outcomes in closed fractures
  • May reduce endosteal blood flow in thin-walled bones (e.g., cats)
• Design advances:
  • Angle-stable IMN reduce rotational slack
  • Expandable nails simplify insertion but may compromise removal or compressive load resistance
  • Precontoured nails match bone curvature but lack consistent clinical superiority
• Material debates continue (e.g., titanium vs. stainless steel vs. magnesium)

🔍 Key Findings

Internal fixation (IF) group (n=59):

• Complication rate: 20.3%
• Major complications: 15.3%
• Longer time to discharge if complications occurred (median: 12.5 weeks)

External skeletal fixation (ESF) group (n=36):

• Complication rate: 55.6% (p < .001 vs IF)
• Major complications: 52.8%
• Most common issue: pin tract morbidity

Multivariable analysis:

• Use of IF significantly reduced odds of complications (OR 0.23, p = .004)
• Use of post-op antibiotics associated with increased odds of complications (OR 3.53, p = .028)

Fixation choice influenced by age:

• Older puppies more likely to receive IF (OR 1.25 per week increase in age, p < .001)

Breed & fracture distribution:

• Common breeds: Labrador, Border Collie, Whippet
• Common fracture sites: middle and proximal third of tibia

🔍 Key Findings

• Supracutaneous locking plates (SLPs) were successfully used to manage 33 diaphyseal fractures (radial–ulnar and tibial) in 30 cats and dogs.
• Median fracture healing time was 50.5 days (range: 27–88), with most patients regaining limb use within days postoperatively.
• CT-based metrics (callus area, HU, and 3D bone volume) increased significantly during healing (p < 0.05), validating CT as a quantitative tool for assessing healing.
• Complications were minimal: minor in 15/33 (e.g., screw tract discharge, edema), and major in 3/33 (e.g., implant failure, delayed union, nonunion).
• Minimally invasive osteosynthesis required longer surgery times than closed reduction (p < 0.05), but both techniques were viable.
• SLPs enabled successful bilateral fracture management without inter-plate interference due to their compact design.
• Screw orientation challenges were noted in cats, especially with cranial application to the radius due to narrow anatomy.
• Polyaxial locking screws were used safely and did not dislodge, allowing for angular insertion (≤10°) to avoid neurovascular structures.

🔍 Key Findings

• Fluoroscopy-guided osteotomy placement achieved a median postoperative TPA of 3° (range: 0–4.5°), showing excellent accuracy.
• The D1 measurement (from patellar ligament insertion to osteotomy exit) was more reproducible and accurate intraoperatively than D2.
• Median R1 value (D1-based) matched the intended 21 mm radius with only 0.5 mm deviation, while R2 deviated by 2.5 mm.
• Real-time fluoroscopy allowed dynamic limb positioning and reduced osteotomy placement variability.
• Intraoperative fluoroscopy reduced reliance on preoperative planning, especially in cases with difficult anatomy or positioning.
• Radiation exposure was minimal (avg. 3 images per case) and within safe limits using standard protection protocols.
• Study standardized to 21 mm blades and excluded dogs with developmental orthopedic conditions to reduce confounders.
• Targeting a lower postoperative TPA (3°) may reduce meniscal load and cranio-caudal instability, though long-term outcomes require further study.

🔍 Key Findings

• Peripheral nerve block (PNB) was preferred by 79% of anesthesiologists; lumbosacral epidural (LE) by 21%; PI <1%.
• Time since board-certification significantly influenced preference: PNB favored by newer diplomates, LE favored by more senior ones (p < .001).
• Employment sector mattered: PNB was preferred more in private practice, LE more in academia (p = .003).
• PNB perceived as more effective, with 78% reporting 81–100% effectiveness; compared to 55% for LE.
• PNB associated with fewer adverse effects (75%) than LE (4%) and PI (21%).
• PNB required less rescue analgesia intraoperatively (57%) and postoperatively (54%) than LE or PI.
• LE preferred for bilateral TPLOs and in smaller dogs; PNB for larger dogs, due to motor function preservation.
• Dexmedetomidine was the most common additive to PNB; bupivacaine-only was most used for PNB.

🔍 Key Findings

• FGPP (fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pinning) resulted in successful healing in 10/13 fractures, with good limb function.
• Complications occurred in 5 of 11 cases, including intra-articular implants, malunion, implant failure/nonunion, and implant migration.
• Cases with delayed surgery (>15 days) or radiographic remodeling were more likely to experience major complications.
• Most fractures (10/13) were classified as Salter-Harris type I with mild displacement.
• Median surgical time was 60 minutes, and no conversions to open surgery were needed.
• Postoperative femoral neck resorption was minimal, suggesting possible benefits of the minimally invasive approach for preserving vascular supply.
• One intra-articular pin led to progressive joint disease and required femoral head ostectomy.
• FGPP appears best suited for acute, minimally displaced fractures in young dogs (<8 months) with planned elective explant to avoid growth disturbance.

🔍 Key Findings

• CESF with distraction osteogenesis restored elbow congruity and normalized aLDRA in skeletally immature dogs with PCDRP.
• Radial head subluxation was eliminated in all dogs, and elbow incongruity reduced significantly (from 6.1 mm to 0.3 mm, p <.01).
• Mean radial lengthening of 22.6 mm (∼11% of normal length) was achieved, but only 80% of recorded distraction translated to length gain.
• Major complications occurred in 2/12 dogs: one with permanent carpal contracture, one with radial fracture at wire tract.
• Minor complications (e.g., carpal pain, restricted extension, synostosis, pin tract issues) were noted in 10/12 dogs but generally resolved.
• Owner surveys (8/12 dogs) reported good to excellent long-term function, even up to 6 years post-op.
• Radial valgus deformities were moderate (mean 15°) and less severe than deformities from ulnar physeal closure.
• Surgical strategy included staged distraction, with radial or combined radius/ulna distraction guided by fluoroscopy and adjusted per case.

🔍 Key Findings

Design: Ex vivo cadaver study (n=8 dogs, 24 sites)
Comparison: Freehand vs. 3D-printed drill guide-assisted ventral slot (GAVS vs FHVS)
Findings:

• GAVS produced slots not significantly different from planned dimensions (p = .722–.875)
• FHVS produced significantly shorter slots than intended (p < .01)
• No difference in surgical time (p = .071)
• Shape ratio and slot divergence from midline were similar between groups (p > .4)
• Use of guide significantly reduced variability in slot position (63% → 29%), shape (65% → 24%), and divergence (54% → 50%)

Conclusion: 3D-printed guides improved accuracy and consistency of ventral slot creation by novice surgeons; supports future evaluation in live dogs and small breeds