Common complications of fracture repair

• Published in: Clinical techniques in small animal practice 2004-08, Vol.19 (3), p.168-179
• Main Authors: Jackson, Leah C., Pacchiana, Philip D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Bacteria; Bone Neoplasms - diagnosis; Bone Neoplasms - veterinary; Cats - injuries; Cats - surgery; delayed union; dogs; Dogs - injuries; Dogs - surgery; fracture associated sarcoma; fracture fixation; Fracture Fixation - methods; Fracture Fixation - veterinary; Fractures; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Fractures, Bone - veterinary; Fractures, Malunited - diagnosis; Fractures, Malunited - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Malunited - veterinary; Gram-positive bacteria; Infections; malunion; nonunion; osteomyelitis; Osteomyelitis - diagnosis; Osteomyelitis - drug therapy; Osteomyelitis - veterinary; Postoperative Care - veterinary; postoperative complications; Postoperative Complications - veterinary; premature physeal closure; Radiography; sarcoma; Sarcoma - diagnosis; Sarcoma - veterinary; Surgical techniques; Transplants & implants; Trauma; Tumors
• ISSN: 1096-2867; 1938-9736; 1558-2272; 1876-7613
• DOI: 10.1053/j.ctsap.2004.09.008

Complications are a reality of fracture repair. Many can be avoided or minimized by being aware of their pathophysiology and predisposing factors. Others are unavoidable but their resolution may be aided by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Major complications of fracture repair include osteomyelitis, delayed union, nonunion, malunion, premature physeal closure, and fracture associated sarcoma. Consideration of these complications should factor into presurgical patient evaluation as well as postoperative management. This discussion focuses on how to avoid, recognize, and treat these complications.