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Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures
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Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures

A Special Issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) belonging to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2026) | Viewed by 6041

Editor

Prof. Dr. Roberto Tamburro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: small animal surgery; orthopedics; traumatology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, ‘Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures’, which is within the scope of this journal.

Orthopedics and trauma surgery are clinically challenging, dealing with injuries and related diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Over the last decade, we have seen developments in all aspects of small animal orthopedic surgery, using invasive procedures and non-invasive and non-surgical methods to correct and treat disease. The introduction of new types of implants with different shapes, sizes, and new biocompatible materials allow for veterinary orthopedic surgeons to use new and advanced orthopedic treatments. Traumatic skeletal injuries and their consequences can greatly affect patients’ quality of life, and may also affect their owners economically. It is thus important that our patients receive the highest-quality treatment by experienced surgeons. Consequently, there is an increasing need for interdisciplinary treatment strategies.

The aim of this Special Issue is to reflect the clinical aspects of advanced methods of fracture repair in dogs and cats. Particular attention will be given to fracture assessments, bone healing, and the regenerative processes associated with the evaluation of new implants and techniques.

I am inviting original research papers that contribute to our understanding of traumatology. Original research, reviews, case reports, and brief communications will be considered for publication.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Roberto Tamburro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fracture
  • bone healing
  • implants
  • surgical techniques
  • dogs
  • cats

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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11 pages, 3895 KB  
Article
Internal Fixation Using Vitcone® Locking-Plate System for Fractures of Radius and Ulna in Toy- and Small-Breed Dogs: A Retrospective Two-Center Clinical Study
by Andrea Urizzi, Umberto Maggiolini, Andrea Paolini, Francesco Collivignarelli and Roberto Tamburro
Animals 2026, 16(18), 2928; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16182928 (registering DOI) - 17 Sep 2026
Viewed by 70
Abstract
This retrospective two-center study describes clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs weighing up to 10 kg undergoing surgical stabilization of radius–ulna fractures using either the Vitcone® locking system (Group A) or the Veterinary Instrumentation (Vi®) locking system (Group B) between [...] Read more.
This retrospective two-center study describes clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs weighing up to 10 kg undergoing surgical stabilization of radius–ulna fractures using either the Vitcone® locking system (Group A) or the Veterinary Instrumentation (Vi®) locking system (Group B) between January of 2021 and December of 2025. Fractures were stabilized with open reduction and internal fixation using a cranio-medial or cranio-lateral approach. Ninety-three dogs met the inclusion criteria (59 in Group A, 34 in Group B). In Group A, the cranio-lateral approach was used in 57% of cases and the cranio-medial approach in 43%, whereas Group B relied exclusively on the cranio-medial approach. At the 12-week recheck, radiographic healing was assessed by two independent observers using a Visual Assessment Scale (VAS), with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) > 0.75 in both groups. Implant removal was performed following the surgeon’s assessment in 68% of dogs in Group A and 36% in Group B. Major complications occurred in 8.4% of dogs in Group A, with one implant breakage and four refractures following implant removal, and three refractures occurred in Group B. Long-term owner follow-up, when available, indicated satisfactory limb use in daily activities. This study provides clinically useful observational data on the application of Vitcone® and Vi® locking systems for stabilizing radius–ulna fractures in small-breed dogs, suggesting their role as viable options in routine surgical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures)
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16 pages, 34445 KB  
Article
Treatment of Simple Fractures of Distal Aspect of Radius and Ulna in Miniature- and Toy-Breed Dogs with Locking Plate in a Non-Rigid Configuration: An Observational Study of 10 Cases
by Alejandro Blanco, Fidel San Román-Llorens, Fidel San Román, Cristina González, Alberto Climent, Juan José Fuertes and Ana Whyte
Animals 2026, 16(14), 2162; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16142162 - 12 Jul 2026
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Distal radial and ulnar fractures in miniature- and toy-breed dogs are associated with high rates of delayed union, non-union, and refracture. This retrospective observational study evaluated the outcomes of simple distal radial and ulnar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using [...] Read more.
Distal radial and ulnar fractures in miniature- and toy-breed dogs are associated with high rates of delayed union, non-union, and refracture. This retrospective observational study evaluated the outcomes of simple distal radial and ulnar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using a locking plate in a non-rigid configuration. Ten fractures in eight dogs weighing less than 5 kg were included. Cases were selected according to predefined biomechanical construct criteria, including a plate bridge ratio > 0.7, plate span ratio > 10, plate working length > 40% of the plate length, and screw density < 0.6. The median radiographic follow-up was 224 days (range, 46–408 days). Radiographic bone healing was achieved in all cases, with a mean time to union of 53 days (range, 28–113 days), and healing occurred faster in skeletally immature dogs. Indirect bone healing with callus formation was observed in 7 of 10 fractures. Minor postoperative complications occurred in three cases and resolved with local treatment. No implant failures or refractures associated with previous screw holes were observed. A reduction in ulnar thickness was identified in evaluable cases, although this finding remained stable during follow-up and did not appear clinically relevant. These findings suggest that locking plate fixation in a non-rigid configuration provides reliable bone healing with a low complication rate in simple distal radial and ulnar fractures of miniature- and toy-breed dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures)
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14 pages, 2808 KB  
Article
Effects of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Bone Healing in the Treatment of Canine Appendicular Fractures
by Ravisa Warin, Preeyanat Vongchan, Witaya Suriyasathaporn, Ratchadaporn Boripun, Kanawee Warrit, Luddawon Somrup, Kittidaj Tanongpitchayes, Pimnipa Jieraviriyapun and Wanna Suriyasathaporn
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081276 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 915
Abstract
Although internal fixation and surgical approaches promote fracture healing, some outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) has been shown to provide more growth factors, and in vitro cell proliferation has not been evaluated for treating bone fractures in veterinary medicine. The purpose [...] Read more.
Although internal fixation and surgical approaches promote fracture healing, some outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) has been shown to provide more growth factors, and in vitro cell proliferation has not been evaluated for treating bone fractures in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone-healing activity of A-PRF in traumatic canine fractures. Twelve dogs with single radius–ulna or tibia–fibula fractures were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group and an A-PRF group. Both groups were treated with a locking compression plate and screws and received pain control. Post-operatively, dogs were evaluated for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and post-operative pain scores on days 1, 3, and 7. Lameness and weight-bearing scores were evaluated on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60. Bone healing was assessed at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months using calculated relative bone density (%). Compared with the control, the A-PRF group showed higher bone density at 2 months and lower lameness at 14 days post-operatively. Although the CRP level, an inflammation response marker, was higher in the A-PRF group within one day. No significant difference in pain score was observed. In conclusion, A-PRF serves as an effective adjunctive therapy for promoting bone healing when treating canine appendicular fractures with surgical internal fixation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures)
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17 pages, 2472 KB  
Article
An Anatomical Study on Canine Cadavers Investigating the Caudolateral Approach Involving the Elevation of the Anconeus Muscle and Splitting of the Triceps Brachii Muscle for the Potential Treatment of T-Y Humeral Fractures
by Piotr Trębacz, Jan Frymus, Michał Czopowicz, Anna Barteczko, Mateusz Pawlik and Aleksandra Kurkowska
Animals 2026, 16(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010110 - 30 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1339
Abstract
Due to the complex anatomical structure of the distal humerus, elbow joint, and the soft tissue mantle (the triceps brachii muscle, large nerves, and vessels), fractures of the distal humerus and humeral condyle are difficult to treat. In most cases, strong instrumentation is [...] Read more.
Due to the complex anatomical structure of the distal humerus, elbow joint, and the soft tissue mantle (the triceps brachii muscle, large nerves, and vessels), fractures of the distal humerus and humeral condyle are difficult to treat. In most cases, strong instrumentation is needed to stabilize the fractures. To improve exposure of the distal humerus and humeral condyle, we proposed a caudolateral approach that involves elevating the anconeus muscle and splitting the triceps brachii. This study presents the results of using this approach in 16 canine cadavers. After exposing the distal humerus and maximally flexing the elbow joint, photographs were taken of the condyle from the same distance before and after olecranon osteotomy. The visible surface area of the articular cartilage was then calculated in square pixels after calibrating the photographs. It was possible to reach the distal and middle humerus in all cases. The only vital structure that could be easily identified and protected in all cadavers was the radial nerve. The visible area of the articular surface of the humeral condyle increased after olecranon osteotomy. The A0 (visible area before osteotomy) was significantly smaller than the A1 (visible area after osteotomy) in all dogs (p < 0.001). The ratio of A0 to A1 ranged from 57% to 67% in 15 dogs (median: 64%, interquartile range (IQR): 61–66%), with a very high value of 85% observed in one dog. This experiment used cadavers with intact elbows. This could limit the study’s findings because the effectiveness of the proposed access in reducing T-Y fractures was not assessed. The caudolateral approach is a valuable alternative to other methods for treating T-Y humeral fractures in dogs. Olecranon osteotomy widens access to the condyle. Further studies are needed to evaluate the necessity of olecranon osteotomy in clinical cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures)
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15 pages, 3057 KB  
Case Report
Rack-and-Pinion Displacement of an Intramedullary Pin During Minimally Invasive Plate–Rod Osteosynthesis of the Canine Femur—A Case Report
by Daniel J. Wills, Max J. Lloyd, Kristy L. Hospes and William R. Walsh
Animals 2025, 15(19), 2777; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192777 - 23 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1907
Abstract
We present a case of unexpected proximal displacement of an intramedullary pin (IMP) during plate–rod repair of a femoral fracture caused by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), requiring immediate revision. Implant retrieval analysis and ex vivo modelling were performed to characterise the technique [...] Read more.
We present a case of unexpected proximal displacement of an intramedullary pin (IMP) during plate–rod repair of a femoral fracture caused by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), requiring immediate revision. Implant retrieval analysis and ex vivo modelling were performed to characterise the technique failure mode. The case details are reported. Implant retrieval analysis consisted of stereo zoom microscopic examination of the retrieved IMP. Wear patterns formed by conflict with a 2.8 mm, two-fluted surgical drill bit and a 3.5 mm AO locking screw were replicated using a simple paper impression model. The mechanism of pin movement was replicated in a benchtop laminated polyurethane foam block model, and wear patterns produced during drilling and screw insertion were characterised using stereo zoom. The wear pattern visible on the retrieved IMP suggested axial displacement caused by a rack-and-pinion-like mechanism, enacted by contact with either the drill bit or locking screws during placement of the repair construct. Significant axial displacement of the IMP due to conflict with screws during construct placement is possible during the placement of plate–rod fixation. Surgeons should confirm implant positioning if implant conflict is recognised intra-operatively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Small Animal Fractures)
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