Overall Course Description:

This is an advanced level course designed for practitioners that have completed the “Principles of Fracture Repair” course (or equivalent) and have experience with fracture repair. The course is one of three advanced courses designed to train veterinarians to reach a high level of expertise in veterinary orthopedics. These techniques are difficult and quite demanding. They require a firm understanding of orthopedic principles, tissue handling, use of power equipment, locking plate technique, and use of bone clamps and other orthopedic instrumentation.  

Fractures of the humerus and radius/ulna are common in dogs and cats. This course will discuss decision-making, surgical approach, fracture reduction techniques and surgical repair of different types of simple and comminuted fractures of the humerus and radius/ulna.

This course is designed to take the general practitioner to a higher level in fracture repair.  We will teach reliable techniques and give valuable practical tips useful in repairing simple and more challenging comminuted fractures. New implant designs have made fracture repair much simpler and more affordable. In addition, postoperative management of patients has also been simplified and complications are rare if the principles of fracture repair are followed.

This course will familiarize participants with fracture repair techniques through lecture and clinical case presentations. Following lecture and case review, participants will repair fractures on plastic bone models and cadavers. Postoperative radiographs will be taken to evaluate the participants repair technique.

Learning Objectives:

1.     Understand the principles of bone healing and the differences between secondary and primary bone healing.

2.     Review fracture classification and choice of fixation for fractures of the humerus and radius/ulna.

3.     Discuss the concept of direct versus indirect fracture reduction and decision making on approach.

4.     Learn how to correctly apply locking bone plates, plate and rod repair, lag screws and pin, Orthosta sutures and tension bands.

5.     Discuss fracture fixation and surgical approaches for proximal, diaphyseal and distal fractures of the humerus, and radius/ulna.

6.     Learn how to repair an ulnar fracture combined with a radial head luxation (Monteggia fracture)

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