• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2020

Two small-breed dogs and two cats, with an average body weight of 4.88 kg (range: 4.3-5.5 kg), suffered hindlimb lameness due to luxation with or without fractures of the tarsocrural joint. These patients underwent tarsocrural arthrodesis with epoxy putty external skeletal fixator. The animals' skins were incised minimally, and the articular cartilage of the tarsocrural joint was removed, followed by autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Epoxy putty and positive Centerface®, pins with diameters 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm, were used for connecting bar and as a full pin fixation, respectively. All the patients regained the ability to bear weight on the affected limb within 3-7 days and resumed a normal gait within 9-15 weeks. The external skeletal fixator frame was removed within 13-17 weeks without major complications. Tarsocrural arthrodesis using epoxy putty external skeletal fixator resulted in excellent outcomes without severe postoperative complications in this study. Epoxy putty external skeletal fixator can be a valuable surgical option for tarsocrural arthrodesis in patients weighing less than 5.5 kg.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.164-166
• /
• 2001

An eight-month old female mixed breed dog was presented to the at Gyeongsang National University Animal Hospital, for tarsocrural arthrodesis. Previously the dog had been presented to a local animal clinic. Orthopedic and blood examinations were conducted. There was absent response of conscious proprioception on the right tarsocrural articulation. The dog stood knuckled onto the digits and had hock dropped but showed normal values in WBC, RBC, Hb, PCV, BUN, creatine, glucose, cholesterol, AST and ALT analyses. The dog was anesthetized and prepared for aseptic surgery. Steinmann pin and Joshi external fixators were applied(bilaterally). 11 weeks after the operation, the external fixators were removed from the bones. The hock dropped was well stabilized, but mild knuckling of distal metatarsopharangeal joint was remained.