Application of a Tarsal Arthrodesis Plate as a Postoperative Immobilization Technique in Common Calcaneal Tendon Injury Repair in Dogs

Introduction: There are several postoperative immobilization techniques for common calcaneal tendon primary repair. These include external coaptation devices, external skeletal fixation, and calcaneotibial (CT) screw fixation. The aim of this study was to determine if temporary application of a pantarsal arthrodesis plate would provide adequate postoperative immobilization of the joint when compared with the other established techniques.

Materials and Methods: Medical records of dogs from January 2008 to September 2019 that presented for common calcaneal tendon injury and underwent surgical repair were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included cases that had incomplete medical records or had insufficient follow-up. Seventeen CT screw and 12 tarsal arthrodesis plate (TAP) cases were included in the final analysis. Data collected were included signalment, pertinent history, injury type, surgical technique, duration of postoperative immobilization, major postoperative complications that warranted a second procedure, and subjective assessment of postoperative lameness.

Results: The major complications in the CT screw group were tendon reinjury (n = 5), infection (n = 1), and tendon laxity (n = 1). The major complications in the plate group were infection (n = 1) and tendon laxity (n = 1). The mean short-term postoperative follow-up time for all cases was 7 months. There was no statistical significance in the number of major complications that warranted surgical correction following use of CT screw or plate (p = 0.15).

Discussion/Conclusion: A pantarsal arthrodesis plate is an acceptable method for postoperative immobilization after primary calcaneal tendon repair. Further research is warranted to further validate this procedure.

Acknowledgment: None.