Summary
Objective: To report our experience with the use of contoured mini circular transarticular external
skeletal fixators for the management of traumatic tarsal luxations in 15 cats.
Materials and methods: Fifteen cats with traumatic tarsal joint luxation treated by using mini circular
transarticular external fixators with available clinical records and complete clinical
and radiographic follow-up of at least 30 weeks duration were included in the study.
Data collected were the signalment, history, type of injury, concomitant injury, frame
configuration, stabilization technique, duration of the surgery, time to first use
of the operated limb, fixator removal time, complications, final outcome and follow-up.
Results: The surgical procedure chosen was based on the type of luxation; partial tarsal arthrodesis
was performed in 10 cases, tarsocrural stabilization in four cases, and pantarsal
arthrodesis in three cases. Five cats started to use the operated limb immediately
after recovering from anaesthesia. In the other 10 cats, time to first use ranged
from one to four days (mean 2 days). In one case, early pin loosening due to half
pin fixation bolt failure was observed as a postoperative complication. Fixator removal
time ranged from 24 to 60 days (mean 45 days). Functional outcome was excellent in
15 cats and good in two.
Clinical relevance: This is a preliminary report about the treatment of tarsal luxations with a mini
circular transarticular external fixation system in which early postoperative and
long-term results seem to be favourable.
Online Supplementary Material: Please note that a Supplementary Table and 3 Supplementary
Videos are available for this paper online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-15-04-0056
Keywords
Cat - tarsal luxation - external fixation - arthrodesis