Summary
Feline combined diaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures were reviewed in a retrospective
study of cases that were admitted to two university teaching hospitals. A high incidence
of complications was noted, with 6/26 (23.1%) of cases requiring revision surgery.
Open fractures were significantly more likely to require revision surgery. The two
main repair methods were external skeletal fixation (ESF) or radial plating. The success
rate was greater for radial plating, with only 1/10 (10%) cases requiring revision
versus 4/14 (28.6%) for ESF. However, ESF tended to be applied to the more complicated
fractures. Stabilisation of both bones proved to be an effective repair strategy with
only 1/8 cases (12.5%) requiring revision versus 5/18 cases (27.8%) where only one
bone was stabilised. Synostoses and radiohumeral luxation were noted as complications
associated with the fractures stabilised by ESF. Final limb function following recovery
was assessed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 93.3% of cases.
Keywords
Feline - fracture - radius - ulna - diaphyseal