Summary
Objectives: To describe acute correction of antebrachial angular and rotational limb deformities
(ARLD) using a new external skeletal fixator (ESF).
Methods: Dogs that were presented with lameness caused by ARLD were treated by radial and
ulnar osteotomies and acute realignment. A modified type-1b ESF incorporating double
arches (DA-ESF) and a novel connecting configuration facilitated alignment with six
degrees of freedom. Bilateral deformities were corrected surgically in the same session.
Aseptic preparation of both antebrachii allowed comparison of limb alignment. Radiographic
evaluation was performed using centre of rotation of angulation (CORA) methodology.
Results: Thirty-five antebrachii (22 dogs) underwent surgery. Postoperative limb function
was graded as good (n = 31), fair (n = 2), or poor (n = 2). Persistent medial carpal
instability was associated with a suboptimal outcome. Postoperative radiographic images
of the frontal and sagittal plane joint angles and elbow-to-carpus translation were
compared with values that were reported in previous studies, and were within published
reference ranges in most cases. Complications included delayed radial osteotomy union
(n = 5), delayed ulnar osteotomy union (n = 2) and implant-associated morbidity (n
= 3).
Clinical relevance: A practical technique for acute correction of complex antebrachial ARLD is suggested,
incorporating a new configuration of ESF. Putative limitations of radio-graphic planning
using CORA may be compensated by careful attention to intra-operative visual and palpatory
assessment.
Keywords
Antebrachial - external fixation - deformity - rotation - osteotomy
