Locking plate osteosynthesis of a diaphyseal radius and ulna fracture in a dog: case report

Radius and ulna fractures are among the most frequent long bone fractures in dogs, and their anatomical, vascular and biomechanical features make treatment technically demanding. This report describes the surgical treatment of a complete diaphyseal radius and ulna fracture in a two-year-and-eight-month-old intact female mixed-breed dog weighing 9.4 kg, hit by a car. Preoperative radiographs revealed a complete, displaced fracture in the middle third of the diaphysis, with a transverse to short oblique line and a small wedge fragment in the radius and a short oblique line in the ulna (AO 22-B). Open reduction and internal fixation was performed with a ten-hole 2.7 mm stainless steel locking plate applied to the cranial surface of the radius and secured with six locking screws, three in each main fragment, without direct stabilisation of the ulna. Anaesthesia comprised premedication with acepromazine and tramadol, propofol induction, isoflurane maintenance and a brachial plexus block with lidocaine. Postoperative care included multimodal analgesia, antibiotic therapy, a Robert Jones bandage followed by daily dressings, cryotherapy and progressive return to limb use. Immediate postoperative radiographs showed restored radial alignment and intact implants. Follow-up radiographs showed bridging callus at approximately 80 days and union at 120 days, with maintained alignment and no implant complications; the dog walked without apparent lameness, and the plate was left in situ because the owner did not return for its removal. The discussion addresses the indication for plating compared with other methods, cranial plate positioning, construct configuration, the type of stability achieved, the decision not to stabilise the ulna and the influence of the owner's socioeconomic context. Cranial locking plate osteosynthesis proved to be an effective option for diaphyseal radius and ulna fractures in small to medium-sized dogs.