SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF A COMMINUTED PATELLAR FRACTURE AND AVULSION OF THE PATELLA

A 4 year-old male Catahoula Hound was presented with a comminuted fracture of the left patella following direct trauma to the joint. Physical findings, radiographic evaluation, and exploratory arthrotomy confirmed patellar fragmentation with complete avulsion from the patellar ligament and a shearing injury to the medial femoral trochlea. A 1 x 1 cm patellar fragment was reattached to the patellar ligament in a position approximating that of the normal patella. A sliding fascial graft was secured to the lateral aspect of the patellar ligament to prevent medial luxation of the bone fragment. On 6-month follow-up, the dog had full weight-bearing function of the limb and full stifle joint range of motion.