Ulnar ostectomy to correct a distal radial physeal fracture

Abstract

A one year old neutered male Yorkshire terrier presented to the Cornell Hospital for Animals on September 24th, 2012 for a 1.5 month history of limping on his left front leg. He had a history of traumatic injury 9 months previously, which had not improved after a course of Carprofen. Radiographs were taken and revealed an early closure of the distal radial physis due to a Salter Harris Type V fracture, a caudally subluxated radial head, and an incongruity of the left elbow joint. On presentation he had a grade 2/5 lameness of the left forelimb. His orthopedic exam revealed an asymmetry between the right and left front limbs, the left elbow was painful on extension and only extended to 150. He was in otherwise good body condition with no other medical issues. Using the dynamic fashion techniques of an ulnar ostectomy the ulna bone was shortened proximal to the interosseous ligament on September 25th, 2012.