Outcome of Repairing Canine Proximal Tibial Apophyseal-Epiphyseal Salter-Harris Fractures with Apophyseal Pin and Tension-Band Wire as a Sole Fixation Method.

APTBW alone achieves high union rates and restores normal tibial geometry without routine epiphyseal fixation.

This retrospective study evaluated radiographic outcomes and complications following repair of proximal tibial apophyseal-epiphyseal (Salter-Harris) fractures in dogs using apophyseal pin and tension-band wire (APTBW) as the sole fixation method. Thirty-six fractures in 35 dogs (median age 4.4 months) were included. Union was achieved in 34 of 36 fractures (94.4%) at a median of 4.1 weeks post-repair. Tibial plateau angle (TPA) was significantly elevated in fractured limbs preoperatively compared to contralateral limbs (mean difference of 12.8 degrees; p<0.001), but normalized by the time of union with no statistically significant difference detected (p=0.735). Mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) showed no significant differences across measurement timepoints or between limbs. Complications included three major and four minor events. Two construct failures occurred prior to union — one due to Kirschner wire migration and one due to apophyseal shearing — representing the most clinically significant adverse outcomes. The authors conclude that APTBW alone provides a high union rate and restores normal tibial geometry in this fracture type. Notably, they suggest that routine fixation of the epiphysis may not be required, potentially simplifying the surgical approach. Limitations include the study's retrospective design and relatively small sample size. These findings support APTBW as an effective sole fixation strategy for proximal tibial apophyseal-epiphyseal fractures in young dogs, though clinicians should remain vigilant for construct failure risk.

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