Limb shortening as a strategy for limb sparing treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma of the distal radius in a dog

OBJECTIVE: To develop and report a novel limb sparing technique for the distal radius in a dog. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 14-year-old, female spayed Labrador Retriever with an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius and a pathological fracture. A previous mast cell tumor had been treated 5 years prior to presentation with marginal excision and a full-course radiation over the right metacarpal bones. The dog had received 2 doses of palliative radiation just prior to presentation. METHODS: A standard resection of the distal radius was used as a strategy to salvage the limb. Instead of replacing the 6-cm bone defect with an endoprosthesis, the limb was acutely shortened and a carpal arthrodesis plate was applied. RESULTS: Postoperative function was good and limb shortening was well-tolerated. Radiographic evidence of early bone healing was noted at the osteotomy site. The dog experienced 3 postoperative complications: a focal area of skin necrosis managed successfully via surgical revision; infection resolving after long-term antibiotherapy; and a fracture of the third metacarpal bone through a screw hole, managed via screw removal and a custom external prosthesis. The patient was euthanatized due to presumptive chemotherapy complications 127 days after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Limb shortening limb salvage is technically feasible and can result in excellent limb use postoperatively, in spite of a significant loss in limb length.