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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2021; 34(05): 359-366
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730356
Clinical Communication

Use of a Transarticular Calcaneo-Tibial Locking Plate for Temporary Immobilization of the Tarsocrural Joint following Surgical Repair of Common Calcaneal Tendon Rupture in Eight Dogs

Alessandro Boero Baroncelli
1   Centro Veterinario Imperiese, Imperia, Italy
2   Clinica Albese per Animali da Compagnia, Alba, Cuneo, Italy
,
Francesca Chiara Ferrero
2   Clinica Albese per Animali da Compagnia, Alba, Cuneo, Italy
3   Clinica Veterinaria Serravalle, Serravalle Scrivia, Italy
,
Luca Omodeo
4   Anubi Ospedale Veterinario, Moncalieri, Italy
,
Mattia Sarotti
5   Centro Veterinario Fossanese, Fossano, Italy
,
Bart Verdonck
6   Huisdierchirurgie-Verdonck, Boechout, Belgium
,
Bruno Peirone
7   Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Grugliasco (To), Italy
,
Lisa Adele Piras
7   Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Grugliasco (To), Italy
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Abstract

Objective The purpose of this clinical communication is to report the management of common calcaneal tendon rupture in dogs using a transarticular calcaneo-tibial locking plate as a method of temporary immobilization of the tarsocrural joint to support primary repair of the common calcaneal tendon.

Study Design Dogs presented with partial or complete common calcaneal tendon rupture treated with primary tendon repair supported by the transarticular calcaneo-tibial locking plate technique from July 2016 to December 2019 were included. The tarsus was placed at a standing angle of 150 degrees and the pre-contoured Fixin locking ‘L’ or ‘T’ plate was medially applied with two locking screws inserted in the calcaneus and two screws inserted in the distal tibia. Tendon healing judgement was mostly based on clinical palpation and ultrasound examination was not performed in all the cases. Plates were removed in all dogs 6 weeks postoperatively.

Results All tendons healed and no complications at the level of the tenorrhaphy were noted in the postoperative period. All dogs returned to hunting activity with full function of the affected limb. No major complications requiring revision surgery were observed. Minor complications occurred in two cases; osteomyelitis and screw pull-out.

Conclusion The use of a transarticular calcaneo-tibial locking plate for temporary immobilization of the tarsocrural joint after surgical repair of common calcaneal tendon rupture appears to be an effective technique with comparable results to other reported techniques.

Keywords

tendon repair - locking plates - tendon healing - dogs - common calcaneal tendon

Author's Contributions

A.B.B., F.C.F. and L.A.P. contributed to the conception of the study, study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation, and drafting/revising and approving the submitted manuscript. L.O.A., M.S., B.V., B.P. and L.A.P. acquired the data, performed data analysis and interpretation, and drafted/revised and approved the submitted manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 17 June 2020

Accepted: 03 April 2021

Article published online:
11 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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