Advise on rabbit proximal tibial fracture

Re: Advise on rabbit proximal tibial fracture

Utlendigur — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:15:18 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]The disadvantage would be that the pin would emerge through the joint,[/quote]

Not if it's placed normograde.

Also would go for IM pin, but I wonder whether it would be possible to place a tension band across the fracture line on the cranial tibia aswell?

Re: Advise on rabbit proximal tibial fracture

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:05:16 GMT

I'm not a rabbit expert by any stretch of imagination, but I have a feeling that their bones splinter easily, so I'd go for minimum ironmongery, and try with just 1 IM pin. The disadvantage would be that the pin would emerge through the joint, but you would lessen the risk of further iatrogenic fracture. Also, it would be a fairly rapid procedure, and, with rabbits, I like to get them off the table ASAP

Wynne

Re: Advise on rabbit proximal tibial fracture

John Flynn — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:09:15 GMT

I have alternative suggestions, but you'd be ill-advised to listen to them and I have never (well not that I remember anyway) repaired a fracture in a rabbit.

A small, nicely contoured T-plate placed medially (locking would be smashing if exists in this size etc)
A couple of smaller IM pins placed from medial and lateral tibial crest (bit like rush pins would be)
An ESF with threaded pins and epoxy putty - might be surprising how little soft tissue in way in a rabbit and might get 2-3 pins in proximal fragment?? Could place pins in type-2 frame also to give some stability.
A small-ish IM pin bent medially and tied into an ESF frame.
Cross pins.

I'm not sure what size bone is.

Was there known trauma? Bruising on leg? No indication is pathological fracture from poor bone quality from inappropriate diet / lack of exercise etc? Tibial bone looks fine on xray to me, just checking...