Transverse stress fractures of the proximal tibia in 10 cats with non-union patellar fractures
- S. J. Langley-Hobbs, MA, BVetMed, DSAS(O), DECVS, MRCVS1,
- S. Ball, MA, VetMB, BScPharm, MRCVS2 and
- W. M. McKee, BVMS, MVS, MACVSc, DSAO, MRCVS3
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES
- 2 Cromwell Veterinary Group, 36 St John’s Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE20 3DG
- 3 Willows Referral Service, 78 Tanworth Lane, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4DF
- E-mail for correspondence: sjl41{at}cam.ac.uk
Abstract
Ten cats with a mean age of eight years and five months had suffered proximal transverse tibial fractures; in four of them both tibiae had fractured at different times. All the cats also had bilateral non-union patellar fractures, and nine of them had evidence of fractures elsewhere, including acetabular, ischial, humeral condylar and rib fractures, which had occurred before or after the tibial fractures. All the tibial fractures were proximal and transverse. Radiographically, there was thickening and sclerosis of the cranial cortex adjacent to and at the level of the fracture, changes that were compatible with stress fractures. The outcome of repair of the tibial fracture was known in nine of the cats; eight of them healed and one resulted in a non-union. Two of the cats were euthanased as a direct result of the fracture or complications with the repair.
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