Pantarsal arthrodesis with a customized titanium medial plate in a dog

ABSTRACT

Background: Tibiotarsal joint luxations are mostly traumatic and due to automobile accidents. The arthrodesis of this joint is considered the final solution for trauma with ligament lesions without repair, luxations without possibility of joint recovery and chronic joint diseases. The direction to which the joint is dislocated is associated with the forces of trauma, and bilateral ligament injuries are not uncommon. However, the medial ligaments are more frequently injured. The aim of this study is to describe the performance of pantarsal arthrodesis using a customized titanium plate for application to the medial surface of the joint.Case An undefined breed dog, weighing 21.5 kg, was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) with history of trauma and injury in the right pelvic limb. After physical and radiographic examinations it was diagnosed with an exposed luxation of the tibiotarsal joint and tissue loss in the region. The tibiotarsal region was cleaned and a bandage was made daily until the first surgical procedure, which occurred five days later. Initially, it was treated without success with the use of a transarticular external fixator1 . Subsequently, pantarsal arthrodesis was performed using a customized titanium angled plate (Made by a private manufacturer based on the functional angulation of the tibiotarsal joint of the contralateral limb). The joint was accessed for exposure of the distal portion of the tibia, tarsal and metatarsals bones. Wear of the articular surfaces was performed and then the customized angulation plate for pantarsal arthrodesis was placed on the medial side of the joint. Bicortical drillings were performed, starting with the proximal orifice. According to the holes of the plate, five 3.5 mm diameter screws1 (four at the distal tibia and one at the tarsus) and four 2.7 mm diameter screws were used in the metatarsal bones.[...]