Veterinary research highlights effective treatment of humeral condylar fractures in puppies

A decade-long study by orthopaedic specialist Steve Butterworth at CVS’ Weighbridge Referrals in Swansea has shown that using a combination of transcondylar bone screws and Kirschner wires (K-wires) to treat humeral unicondylar fractures in puppies younger than seven months old results in high healing rates with few complications.

The research, conducted from March 2011 to August 2021, reviewed cases of puppies aged three to six months with unicondylar fractures. The sample included 30 fractures in 29 dogs treated with transcondylar bone screws and K-wires. All fractures healed successfully.

The study included 24 male and 26 female puppies, with French Bulldogs representing 50% of the cases, ages ranging from 11 to 30 weeks and bodyweight varying from 1.5 to 16.9kg, with a median of 5.5kg. Short-term outcomes were excellent in 77% of cases and good in 23%. No catastrophic failures occurred, and the four complications encountered were resolved with further minor surgery.

While recent studies have raised concerns about the stability of using K-wires, rather than bone plates, this study suggests that for puppies at least, the combination of a transcondylar bone screw and K-wire is effective. The incidence of implant-related complications was lower than in adult dogs, and the short-term outcomes were excellent or good in all cases with follow-up data.

The research, says Steve, underscores the need for further multicentre studies with longer-term follow-up to confirm these findings and compare them with other fixation techniques.  However, this study concludes that while epicondylar plates have become accepted practice for adult dogs with such fractures, they may not be necessary for puppies aged three to seven months.

To read the full Humeral unicondylar fractures in immature dogs treated using a bone screw and Kirschner wire study, visit here.

• Weighbridge Referral Service was established in 1995 to provide the South Wales region and beyond with a dedicated veterinary referral service for the investigation and treatment of small animal orthopaedic and spinal cases. It remains the only referral practice in South Wales offering this service through an RCVS Recognised Specialist in the field of small animal orthopaedics. More information about Steve Butterworth and the Weighbridge Referrals team can be found at www.weighbridgevets.co.uk.