CARE OF CATS THAT HAVE HAD FRACTURES REPAIRED WITH PINS OR PLATES
What is a fracture?
This is the term used to describe a broken bone.
How are fractures treated?
In recent years, the use of modem veterinary equipment and a better understanding
of the theory and practice of fracture repair, has resulted in an improved level
of treatment for the cat with a fractured (broken) leg. It is now possible to
repair the vast majority of fractures that a cat may suffer as the result of
a traumatic incident, most commonly a road traffic accident. The main aims of
fracture repair are to get a fracture to heal as quickly as possible and get
the cat using its leg as quickly as possible. In most cases this involves rebuilding
the broken bone and fixing it in that position (using metallic implants).
The commonest methods of fixation of fractures are: placing a stainless steel
pin in the marrow cavity of the affected bone, plating the bone in position
with a plate screwed to the outside of the bone and lastly by the use of pins
that project out of the cat's leg that are connected with a metal bar and clamps
(the last are called external fixators).
The decision as to which implants are used depends on a number of factors:
- The type of fracture your cat has suffered
- What equipment your veterinary surgeon has available
- Other injuries your cat may have suffered to other limbs
- The age of your cat
- Financial considerations
- The temperament of your cat
How are fractures diagnosed?
Your cat may have been missing from home for a number of days. If it has a
fracture it will normally not be able to weight bear on the affected limb. Your
cat will be experiencing a degree of discomfort or pain. There may be a degree
of soft tissue swelling in the region of the fracture. Your veterinarian will
be able to detect if there is a fracture by looking for pain, swelling and a
grinding sensation between the ends of the broken bones.
Before repairing a fracture your veterinarian will give your cat a thorough
examination to ensure that there are no other injuries, and it may also be necessary
to take X-rays of the cat's chest and abdomen to make absolutely sure that there
are no life threatening internal injuries before anesthetizing your cat to repair
its fracture.
If there are no additionally injuries your veterinarian will take an X-ray
of the fractured limb before the fracture is repaired to help to decide which
method of fixation to use. After the fracture has been repaired another X-ray
will usually be taken to assess how well the pieces of bone have come back together
and so that the exact position of all of the pins/plates can be determined.
What postoperative care does my cat need?
After a fracture has been repaired your veterinary surgeon will normally keep
your cat in the veterinary practice for a few days to ensure that there are
no immediate post operative complications such as wound problems, movement of
implants or infection. Immediately after the fracture has been repaired a soft
dressing may be placed on the fractured limb to provide a small degree of additional
support and to minimize any swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the fracture.
Occasionally it may be necessary to put the limb in a rigid cast, however this
is generally avoided.
Usually antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection in the fracture
site. In addition to this, since fractures and the repair associated with them
will give the cat a degree of pain and discomfort, pain relief may be provided
for the post operative period.
Some cats will not eat very well if hospitalized and can lose significant
amounts of weight. This situation can lead to slow fracture healing. In most
cases your veterinarian will discharge your cat as soon as they feel it is safe
to do so.
Initially your cat will have to be prevented from going outdoors. Depending
on how happy your veterinarian is with the fracture repair he may suggest that
the cat is confined to one room of the house. However if there are concerns
about how stable the fracture is, the cat may have to be confined to a large
cage. In general it is more desirable to let the cat exercise itself around
one room in a controlled manner, this minimizes muscle wastage on the fracture
limb, minimizes any chance of long term limb stiffness and can help healing
of the fracture.
The length of time your cat is confined depends on the following factors:
- The age of your cat - young cats heal more quickly than older cats
- If your cats has already got any other illness, if this is the case fracture
healing may be delayed
- The type of fracture your cat has suffered
- The type of fixation used
- How quickly your cat starts to use its leg effectively
- The X-ray appearance of the fracture after a period of time has elapsed
Once your veterinarian is happy the fracture has healed adequately they will
allow you to let your cat go outside. Before your cat goes outside it may be
necessary to remove some or all of the metal implants used in the fracture repair.
Your veterinarian will decide if this is necessary.
What is the long-term outlook for my cat?
Most fractures can be repaired very effectively and in many cases your cat
will not be left with a permanent stiffness or lameness. However if the original
fracture involved a joint, some lameness and/or stiffness may result at some
stage after the fracture has been repaired.
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