Evaluation of Titanium Elastic Nails for Femoral Fractures in Young Dogs: A Clinical Study

Background: Femur fractures from multifactorial etiologies are a common occurrence in young and growing dogs. Various methods of internal fixation are available to repair young femur fractures but titanium elastic nails (TENs) are superior in stabilizing such fractures. Micromotion at the fracture site by these nails limits stress shielding and stimulates for early callus formation. TENs nails have been used in children but fewer studies are conducted in immature dogs in the recent years. The objective of this study was the clinical evaluation of TENs technique in femur fracture fixation among young dogs. Methods: This study included 16 clinical cases of young ( less than 2 months) dogs (12 male and 4 female) with mean ± SD age of 5.19±2.83 month, body weight 7.46±5.07 Kg injured since 2.93±2.14 days and associated with vehicular accident, fall from height, hit injury with stick and unknown injury with femur fractures. TENs technique was applied in all the classes and postoperative clinical evaluation was done. Result: All the cases resulted in satisfactory functional outcome based on radiographically visible early bridging callus with mean radiographic fracture healing score of 2.43±0.18, better fracture union (bone union score: 1.37±0.24 and bone formation score: 2.25±0.19), early weight bearing (standing: 2.43±0.28 days, walking: 4.93±0.39 days, pain perception score (1.62±0.12) and ambulation with weight bearing score: 2.5±0.12 (standing) and 3.00±0.22 (walking), respectively on 15th postoperative day, in affected dogs with no major complications. Therefore, TENs technique provides an adequate repair of diaphyseal and supracondylar femur fractures in young dogs with better postoperative outcome.