IM pin and cerclage wires

Intramedullary pin fixation with cerclage wires is an option for patients with long oblique (the fracture line at least twice the bone diameter) or spiral simple fractures in which at least 3 cerclage wires can be applied. The fracture must be completely reconstructible and the bone must share the axial load. It is not recommended for older patients or for those cats that cannot be adequately confined postoperatively. Failure to choose the correct fracture type and patient for this repair will likely lead to loss of reduction of the fracture.

Note: If anatomical reconstruction cannot be accomplished, then a bridging technique should be used.

The dimensions of the pin should be 50-60 % of the isthmus of the medullary canal for the tibia. A pin filling 70-80% of the medullary cavity is generally recommended for IM pinning of long bones, but due to the shape of the tibia, the pin must bend slightly during insertion to stay in the medullary cavity. If the pin is too large, it will exit the cortex; if the pin is too small it will not have adequate strength or bending stiffness to maintain stability.

Note: Retrograde pinning of the tibia should never be done because of the high probability of entering the stifle joint and damaging either the cranial cruciate ligament or the menisci.

This procedure is performed with the patient placed in either:

• Lateral oblique recumbency
• Dorsal recumbency

In order to gain access for anatomical reconstruction an open or open-but-do-not-touch (OBDNT) medial approach to the tibial shaft is performed.

For more information please see the open craniomedial approach to the tibial shaft.

This is an extra articular approach. Incision of the stifle joint capsule should be avoided.

Skin incision, dissection of subcutaneous tissue, and incision of the medial stifle fascia are performed over the craniomedial aspect of the tibia plateau.

For more details see the approach for normograde pin/nail insertion.

Bone-holding forceps are applied to the proximal and distal fragments for distraction. This is necessary to counteract the muscles surrounding the bone.

Once distraction is achieved, the bone fragments are pulled, toggled or levered along the fracture line into perfect anatomical reduction with the help of one or two pointed reduction forceps placed across the fracture line.

The fracture is preliminary fixed with one or two pointed reduction forceps while the cerclage wires are applied.

Note: Take care to avoid placing the forceps at the planned cerclage wire sites.

Anatomical reduction and the stability of preliminary fixation are carefully checked.

The distance between the cerclage wires needs to be at least 1/2 diameter away from the tip of the fragment and ½-1 diameter away from each other.

A detailed demonstration of cerclage wires technique can be seen here.

Pitfall: Placing cerclage wires on a short oblique fracture will generate larger shear forces, causing loss of reduction, the fracture to shear, and collapse.

This is an extra articular approach. Incision of the stifle joint capsule should be avoided. Skin incision, dissection of subcutaneous tissue, and incision of the medial stifle fascia are performed over the craniomedial aspect of the tibia plateau.

The appropriate size pin is inserted in a normograde fashion without entering the stifle joint.

The pin is started at a point on the tibia plateau just inside the medial cortex and halfway between the straight patellar tendon and the medial collateral ligament.

The pin is directed very slightly caudally in the direction of the tibial shaft and parallel to the medial cortex. The caudal angle must be shallow to allow the pin to bend slightly as it contacts the caudal cortex and aligns with the medullary cavity.

The pin is advanced passing the fracture zone and reaching the distal segment.

The location of the tip of the pin is assessed by comparing with a pin of the same length held on the outside of the bone.

Note: Pin placement can be checked with intraoperative radiography if available.

The pin is cut close to the surface of the tibia plateau to prevent irritation of the straight patellar ligament or the medial joint capsule.

Complete fixation.

The aim is to reduce the edema, inflammation and pain and to protect the surgical wound. A compressive bandage or modified Robert Jones bandage can be used. Integrative medical therapies, anti-inflammatory medications (note in the cat that many are toxic; only use drugs labeled for cats) and analgesics are recommended. In most cases, 10-20 minutes of ice therapy is recommended every 8 hours, but maybe challenging in cats.

The aim is to resolve the hematoma, edema and control pain, and prevent muscle contracture. Analgesic medications may still be needed. Anti-inflammatory medications used in the cat are not labeled for continued use after a few days and should be avoided. Rehabilitation and integrative medical therapies can be used.

If the cat is not starting to use the limb within a few days after surgery, a careful evaluation is recommended.

10-14 days after surgery the sutures are removed.

Radiographic assessment is performed every 4-8 weeks until bone healing is confirmed.

More information about implant removal can be found here.