Abstract:
Physeal fractures of the distal femur are among the most commonly encountered fractures in
skeletally immature dogs. These fractures respond poorly to conservative management and
thus early surgical reduction and stabilisation are recommended. A 7-month-old intact male
Border collie presented with a history of chronic lameness. Clinical examination revealed a
predominantly non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb and concurrent muscle
atrophy. A pronounced, but atypical, procurvatum deformity of the right distal femur was
diagnosed on survey radiographs. Malunion of a Salter–Harris Type III physeal fracture was
suspected as there was an associated history of trauma. A cranially based closing wedge
ostectomy was performed to address the femoral deformity and subsequently stabilised using
a supracondylar bone plate. The dog recovered well and was moderately weight-bearing lame
on the right hindlimb 6 weeks post-operatively. Ten months following the operation the range
of motion had improved in the right stifle and no signs of lameness were evident at a walk. We
advocate surgical correction of sagittal plane deformities of the distal femur using the CORA
method. Overall, a good functional outcome was achieved, which is consistent with previously
reported cases with similar deformities.
