Complications of Canine Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures

Summary Seventeen dogs between three and 22 months of age were treated for avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity. The majority of dogs were greyhounds and bull terriers. Three cases had bilateral involvement. Eleven were treated surgically, four were treated conservatively and two were euthanatised. Lameness was resolved by the time of the last examination in 4/4 conservatively managed cases and 7/11 surgically treated cases. Postoperative complications were related to fracture fixation or growth abnormalities. Fixation complications included avulsion of the tuberosity from the implant, wire breakage, bending of a pin, mild patella luxation and a pin through the tibial plateau growth plate. Deformity of the proximal tibial plateau occurred in two dogs, and flattening of the tibial tuberosity with distal translocation developed in at least two other dogs.