Presentation
Presents with left pelvic limb lameness. The dog was allowed into the backyard 5 days ago. After 30 minutes, the dog went back into the house. The owners noted that she was non-weight bearing on her left pelvic limb.
Patient Data
The apophysis of the tibial tuberosity is avulsed and proximally and cranially displaced. A small fragment of bone is present distal to the apophyseal fragment. The patella is dorsally displaced. There is moderate soft tissue swelling at the fracture site.
Avulsion fracture of the left apophysis of the tibial tuberosity.
Case Discussion
This type of fracture is through an apophysis or second center of ossification. The tibial crest has a cartilage attachment to the tibia that is weaker than bone. With too much tension on the patellar ligament, the cartilage gives way causing this avulsion fracture.
It is useful to take radiographs of the opposite stifle in cases where the displacement of the fragment is minimal for a comparison study.
This fracture was reduced surgically with pins and figure of 8 wires.
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