Compensatory Tibial Overgrowth Following Healing of Closed Femoral Fractures in Young Dogs

Summary Two young dogs examined for hindlimb lameness were found to have healed femoral fractures, 2-4 cm of femoral shortening, and 1 cm of compensatory ipsilateral tibial overgrowth. Neither dog had had surgery or internal fixation. Although tibial overgrowth partially corrected for limb shortening, both dogs had chronic intermittent lameness due to malformation of the femoral condyles and secondary stifle osteoarthritis. Compensatory tibial overgrowth was found in two young dogs with femoral fractures which had healed without any surgical reduction or internal fixation. Tibial overgrowth of approximately 1 cm in each case partially compensated for 2-4 cm of femoral shortening.