Junior's Story
Mixed Breed Dog

Age 3 years

 

 

Junior first came to CVRC for severe fractures of his right humerus and left forearm that he suffered after being hit by a car. Because of the severity of both fractures – each fracture had splintered into multiple fragments – Dr. Flynn determined that the traditional method of reducing and stabilizing the fractures would not be possible. Rather, he would use an external skeletal fixator to stabilize Junior’s bones and maintain their normal alignment while minimizing any disruption of the fracture sites.

Junior did very well in his surgery and went home with to his family the next day. He would have a long recovery ahead of him, because the complex fractures would take an especially long time to heal. He could only walk if his owners were supporting the majority of his 110 pounds using a harness.

Within a month, however, Junior was walking on both forelimbs with only minor support. And within two months, radiographs showed that the fractures of his left forearm had healed well enough that Dr. Flynn was able to partially remove Junior’s external skeletal fixator. Unfortunately, those same radiographs also showed that the fractures in Junior’s right humerus were not healing as rapidly as expected. To address this, Dr. Flynn harvested bone marrow from Junior’s other humerus – from his “good” leg – and injected it into the fracture site to stimulate bone growth and accelerate the healing process.

A month after this procedure, Junior was walking on both forelimbs without support and only mild lameness.

But Junior’s recovery was not done yet; four months after the initial surgery, Junior became increasingly lame and uncomfortable in his right forelimb. Dr. Flynn suspected infection, and he discharged Junior with a course of antibiotics and instructions for strict activity restrictions.

Finally, a full 5 months after surgery, Junior’s fractures had sufficiently healed to allow for total removal of his implants. One month later, Junior was walking with no visible lameness and appeared free of any pain. Radiographs showed that the fracture sites were completely healed, and Dr. Flynn gave Junior a clear bill of health. 

 

  Junior walks out of the hospital, good as new, after his final recheck appointment.