Technical challenges for sequential surgical failures of a patellar ligament rupture in a German shepherd dog

Authors: Sugiyama T
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 50, Issue 4, pp 260-269, Dec 2020
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Clinical examination, Surgery
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

A 3.5-year-old male entire German shepherd dog was presented for a rupture of the left patellar ligament. It was surgically managed with primary ligament anastomosis and an internal splint, followed by augmentation using a hook plate. Two weeks later, the anastomosis failed because the plate broke. Orthopaedic wire was used to connect the two parts of the plate, however, the revision failed two weeks later. The broken orthopaedic wire was replaced with a fibretape suture, followed by trans-articular immobilisation. The latter had to be removed immediately postoperatively, because it was not tolerated by the dog. Two weeks following the third revision, the proximal portion of the plate  separated from the patella by screw breakage. At that time the client requested euthanasia of the dog. The present report highlights the challenges of sequential surgical failures when treating patellar ligament rupture in an active large breed dog, with a review of the literature on management of this condition.

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