The aim of this study was to compare bone healing and limb function in 18 cats with transverse femoral fractures treated with either intramedullary pin and a type Ia external skeletal fixator (Group 1, n=9) or a tie-in configuration (Group 1, n=9). All animals showed normal function of the operated limb after implant removal, independently of the configuration used. The optic bone densitometry in radiographic images showed no difference in bone mineral density of the external bone callus between the groups. Fractures treated with intramedullary pin and type Ia external fixator had significantly more time to fracture healing, and fractures treated with the tie-in configuration had less proliferation of bone callus.
cats; fixator; fracture; femur
