Impact of follow-up radiographs on post-operative management after uncomplicated radius and ulna fracture fixation in small dogs.

AIMS: To evaluate how frequently radiographs, taken during the follow-up period (4-8 weeks) after uncomplicated surgery for the internal fixation of simple transverse or short oblique radius and ulna fractures in small dogs (< 15 kg), resulted in a change to the post-operative management plan, and to evaluate the long-term owner-reported outcomes.

METHODS

Medical records of dogs (n = 121) undergoing internal fixation of radius and ulna fractures in a private veterinary referral hospital in Quebec (Canada) were reviewed. Cases with no intra-operative complications, an unremarkable post-operative recovery, and follow-up orthopaedic and radiographic examinations between 4 and 8 weeks post-operatively were included. Data collected included demographic information, fracture details, owner-reported concerns and orthopaedic examination findings at follow-up, radiographic evaluation, and changes in post-operative management with underlying reasons. Long-term owner-reported outcome was also evaluated using the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire.

RESULTS

Follow-up radiographs were obtained at a median of 6 (min 4, max 8) weeks post-operatively. At the time of follow-up, 82/121 (67.8%) cases had no owner-reported concerns and no unsatisfactory findings on orthopaedic examination. Radiographic findings led to changes in post-operative recommendations in 2/82 (2.4%) of these dogs. In the 39 cases with owner-reported concerns and/or unsatisfactory orthopaedic findings, radiographic findings led to changes in recommendations in five (12.8%) cases.

UNLABELLED: Major complications at short-term follow-up occurred in 2/121 (1.7%) dogs; both were presented with owner concerns and unsatisfactory findings on orthopaedic evaluation. Based on questionnaire responses, 86/88 (97.7%) dogs had normal function or a very mild impairment 12 months or more after surgery.

CONCLUSION

In this population, the findings from follow-up radiography resulted in a change to the post-operative management plan in only a small proportion (2.4%) of cases that did not have concerns identified by clinical examination or reported by the owner. Follow-up radiography did contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of bone abnormalities such as osteopenia. A greater impact of radiographic findings was observed in cases with clinical or owner-reported concerns.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide data on the frequency with which radiographic findings alter post-operative management and may inform individualised, clinically driven decisions regarding follow-up imaging.