Fractures of the Proximal Ulna in Dogs

Abstract

SummaryIn a retrospective study of fractures of the proximal ulna in dogs, 22 cases were identified over a 12-year period. Follow-up data was available for 13 dogs. Fractures of the proximal ulna were often comminuted, and most commonly had an intra-articular component affecting the ulnaro-humeral joint. Common causes included: motor vehicle trauma and falls from a height. Blunt thoracic trauma and additional orthopaedic injuries were often seen with the more severe types of fractures.Healing of intra-articular proximal ulnar fractures usually occurred after anatomical reconstruction and rigid internal fixation. Secondary osteoarthritis was minimal. The pin and tension band technique gave satisfactory results for simple non-articular fractures of the olecranon, but for intra-articular fractures this fixation method was associated with a greater incidence of complications such as: implant breakage, delayed union and infection. Implant loosening or breakage and delayed union were not observed, when fracture fixation with bone plates placed on the caudal or lateral aspects of the ulna was performed. Localized infection associated with a bone plate was identified in one of 10 patients and plate removal was carried out after the fracture had healed.Fractures of the proximal ulna in 13 dogs were frequently intra-articular and comminuted. Most fractures stabilized with tension band fixation or a small bone plate on the caudal surface of the ulna healed with minimal secondary osteoarthritis. However, complications with tension band fixation were common.