Pets, just like people, can break bones—from jumping off the couch wrong to more serious accidents. Depending on the type of fracture, veterinarians use various tools like pins, plates, screws, or external frames to hold the bone in place while it heals. The goal is to line the bones up properly and keep them stable so healing can happen correctly and quickly.
Why it matters: Proper fracture repair prevents lifelong pain, stiffness, or re-injury. It also gets your pet back to their happy, active self faster and reduces complications from poor healing.
Why it matters: Proper fracture repair prevents lifelong pain, stiffness, or re-injury. It also gets your pet back to their happy, active self faster and reduces complications from poor healing.
This X-ray shows a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle, which is the lower end of the upper arm bone (humerus) near the elbow joint. In this image, you can see a clear break through the bone. This type of fracture is especially common in young dogs with weak growth plates or in dogs who experience a sudden impact while jumping or running. The break causes pain and instability in the elbow, making it difficult for the dog to use the leg.
This shows the same bone after surgical repair. Two orthopedic screws have been inserted to realign and hold the fractured pieces together securely. These screws will remain in place as the bone heals. The positioning of the screws shows that the surgeon successfully stabilized the fracture, allowing the bone to heal properly over time.
With proper post-op care (rest, possibly physical therapy), your pet is now on the path to recovery. These screws will keep the bone steady, and over the next few weeks, the bone will fuse back together, restoring full function.