Use of Polyaxial Locking Plate and Rod Reconstruction in the Treatment of Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures in Dogs

Clinical efficacy of the polyaxial locking plate (PAX) combined with intramedullary (IM) pinning - the plate-rod technique - was assessed in six dogs aged 6-28 months, irrespective of breed and sex, with mid-diaphyseal tibial fractures. Males predominated (83.33%), and road traffic accidents were the leading cause (83.33%) among these cases. Closed oblique fractures accounted for 66.66% of cases, the remainder being spiral. Surgery was performed at a mean of 4.83 ±0.83 days post-injury under a standardized anaesthetic protocol. A cranio-medial approach was used, and the PAX system’s ability to angle screws up to 15° from perpendicular appeared to provide stable fixation across fracture configurations. Fixation used 2.7 mm or 3.5 mm PAX plates combined with 1.8-3.0 mm IM pins. Radiographs on days 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 tracked alignment, implant position, and healing. One case (23 kg, high activity level) showed transient implant bending. Lameness improved progressively, reaching grade I (normal weight-bearing) by day 60 in all six dogs, and radiographic union was achieved in all cases by day 90. The polyaxial plate’s limited-contact design supported early weight-bearing and reduced postoperative complications.