Snowy’s story – left tibial fracture repair
Four-month-old Bengal kitten Snowy had taken himself on a curtain-climbing adventure when he sadly fell and became acutely lame on his left pelvic limb.
Surgical Resident (ECVS) Nuria Comas, DVM GPCertSAS MRCVS
Snowy was referred by his local vet to Fitzpatrick Referrals orthopaedic service, where he underwent an examination and x-ray images, confirming a left tibial fracture.
Surgical Resident Nuria Comas performed a surgical stabilisation of the fracture using an external fixation and was discharged home the same afternoon.
Radiograph showing Snowy’s left tibial fracture.
Post-op radiograph following Snowy’s surgical stabilisation of the left tibial fracture using an external fixation.
External fixation was chosen as the method of fixation instead of internal fixation, to shorten the anaesthetic time as this is a short procedure, avoids disruption of the fracture haematoma since it is a minimally invasive method, and allows for easy removal of the implants once the bone is healed.
Surgical Resident Nuria Comas holding Snowy in the wards following surgery.
Recovery
Following three weeks of crate rest, Snowy returned for his recheck appointment, where x-ray images showed good progress on callus and bone healing, and his frame was removed.
Radiograph of Snowy’s left hind limb at 3 week recheck with the external frame in place and showing good progress on callus and bone healing.
Radiograph of Snowy’s left hind limb at 3 week recheck following the removal of his frame and showing good progress on callus and bone healing.
We’re pleased to report that Snowy has recovered well from his ordeal and we wish him a happy, curtain-climbing-free future.