Physiological and biomechanical factors that affect healing in cases of canine antebrachium fractures

Abstract

The research has been performed in Dr. L Kriaučeliūnas Small Animal Clinic while analysing anamnesis data and radiographs of canines diagnosed with antebrachium fractures (n=25). The aim of the thesis: to identify and evaluate physiological and biomechanical factors that affect healing in cases of canine antebrachium fractures. The goals of the thesis: 1) to evaluate the influence of age and bone length on canine antebrachium fracture healing; 2) to evaluate the influence of fracture lines number, type and subtype on canine antebrachium fracture healing; 3) to evaluate the influence of gap width and strain on canine antebrachium fracture healing; 4) to evaluate the influence of callus on canine antebrachium fracture healing. The results and conclusions of the analysis: antebrachium fractures are most common among young canines (1–5 year of age) (56%). Research showed that the age of the dog influenced the healing of the fractures (p0,05). Evaluation of the types and the subtypes of all the examined cases of antebrachium fractures (n=25) revealed 22A (n=17) to be the most common type and A2 to be to the most common subtype (56 %). Statistical analysis revealed that the type and the subtype of the fracture didn’t influence the time of healing of the antebrachium fractures (p>0,05). The average strain of the fractures (n=45) was 54,69±4,62 percent. Statistical analysis shows that tensile force in the fracture area has a reliable correlation with duration of antebrachium fractures healing (p<0,05). The average width of the gap between the fractured pieces was 1.04±0.18 mm. Analysis showed that the width of the gap between the fractured antebrachium pieces has a reliable correlation with time of healing of the antebrachium fractures (p<0,05). Callus formations were more likely to not occur (n=14) than to occur (n=11) after being treated. Statistical analysis showed that the correlation between callus formations and time of healing of the antebrachium fractures is statistically relevant (p<0,05)