Fracture Repair Surgeries for Dogs & Cats

Intramedullary (IM) pinning is typically the quickest and most affordable fracture repair surgery available after casting and splinting. It acts as a sort of internal splint for the bone, with the pin inserted into the medullary canal of the bone to provide stability.  IM pinning is ideal for treating certain types of bone fractures, such as the oblique fracture (in which the bone is fractured into just two pieces). This procedure also works very well for younger and smaller dogs.

Bone plating is the gold standard for fracture repair. When applied appropriately, bone plates can accommodate most types of fractures, and most fracture locations. The plate is bent to fit the broken bone, then screwed to the bone. Most plates are left in place if possible, but some should be removed. Bone plating procedures take skill and experience to perform, and it is often more expensive.

External fixation is a technique in which rods are placed into the bone, with the ends sticking out the side of the leg. These pins are connected outside the body with additional rods to help stabilize the fracture. This fracture repair method can be used to treat a variety of fracture types, but it also requires a higher level of maintenance post-surgery.