Use of hinged veterinary cuttable plates for partial tarsal arthrodesis in a dachshund following a left distolateral calcaneal fracture associated with a lateral intertarsal instability

Abstract A 4‐year‐old, male, neutered dachshund presented as non‐ambulatory following a road traffic accident. Following stabilisation, radiographs showed bilateral sacro‐iliac luxation, a distolateral calcaneal chip fracture of the left tarsus with subluxation of the calcaneoquartal joint and lateral instability of the proximal intertarsal joint. The left sacro‐iliac luxation was reduced and treated with a sacro‐iliac cortical screw. A partial tarsal arthrodesis was also performed using two 2.0/2.7 mm hinged veterinary cuttable plates to treat the lateral intertarsal instability. A mild skipping lameness when trotting was present on the left pelvic limb at 7‐week follow‐up, and radiographs of the pelvis and tarsus showed complete bone healing. Excellent recovery with no lameness at a walk or trot was reported at 9‐month follow‐up via telephone. This report details a partial tarsal arthrodesis using hinged veterinary cuttable plates in a dachshund, a technique not previously reported.