Pantarsal arthrodesis with a locking plate as treatment for reabsorptive calcaneal injury in an obese dog: case report

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to describe a pantarsal arthrodesis using a medial locking plate in an overweight dog. A 5-year-old, 28 kg, female dachshund presented with a left plantigraded hindlimb with calcaneous osteolytic injury and bone exposure. First, the patient was treated for the skin wound and started on a weight-loss program. A customized locking plate was used in the pantarsal arthrodesis. A normal hindlimb position and gait were observed after 27 days, and bone fusion was achieved at 60 days postoperatively. Implant removal was performed at 120 days, and the patient was discharged. The dog was kept on weight-loss therapy until it achieved a body weight of 11 kg. The customized bone implant used for pantarsal arthrodesis proved feasible and effective in treating an obese dog with low bone density.