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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2000; 13(03): 149-153
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632651
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Arthrodesis of the elbow in three cats

P. C. Moak
1   From Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, P. A., Winter Park, Florida, USA
,
D. D. Lewis
2   The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
,
S. C. Roe
3   The Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
,
J. J. de Haan
1   From Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, P. A., Winter Park, Florida, USA
› Author AffiliationsThe authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Robert B. Parker and Scott T. Murphy to the cases in this report.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 26 March 1999

Accepted 09 May 2000

Publication Date:
09 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

Severe disorders of the elbow in three cats were treated with arthrodesis. Fusion for two cats was achieved with bone plate application on the caudal aspect of the elbow. A modified trans-articular external skeletal fixator was used for arthrodesis of one elbow. All three elbows progressed to arthrodesis. One cat fractured the radius and ulna distal to the plate following arthrodesis; the forelimb was eventually amputated following additional complications. The remaining two cats were intermittently weight-bearing on the involved forelimb with marked circumduction of the limb during the swing phase of the stride, but the owners perceived their cats to be free of pain. Arthrodesis of the elbow is an alternative to amputation in order to achieve pain relief and limb salvage following severe elbow disorders in cats. However, limb function in these three cats was severely compromised.

Arthrodesis has been described as a salvage procedure for orthopaedic disorders of the elbow in dogs. This report describes the indications, surgical techniques, and clinical results of elbow arthrodesis in three cats.

Keywords

Arthrodesis - elbow - cat
 

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