{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T20:39:07Z","timestamp":1790195947108,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)","issue":"7","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["javma"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,21]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>OBJECTIVE<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>To evaluate the outcome of surgical fixation of shell fractures in rehabilitated wild freshwater turtles.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>ANIMALS<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>51 freshwater turtles with 86 shell fractures.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>PROCEDURES<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>The medical record database of a wildlife rehabilitation center in Wisconsin was searched from 2014 through 2019 for records of freshwater turtles with shell fractures repaired with a plate technique, screws and wire technique, or both. Signalment, fracture location, therapeutic approach (including the type of hardware used for repair), dry-docking duration, time to hardware removal, postremoval care, and outcome were evaluated.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>RESULTS<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>36 of 51 (71%) turtles with shell fractures experienced successful fracture healing following surgical hardware fixation, and 33 (65%) were released. Shells of 38 (75%) turtles were repaired with plates only, 5 (10%) turtles with wire only, and 8 (16%) turtles with a combination of plates and screws and wires. Of the 51 turtles, 13 (25%) did not survive &gt; 4 weeks following hardware repair, leaving 38 animals available to assess fracture healing. Median time to start staged removal was 42 days (range, 35 to 49 days) and to complete removal of the applied hardware was 56 days (range, 26 to 77 days). Complications associated with placement of the hardware occurred in 6 of 38 (16%) turtles. Complications included screw hole infection (4\/38 [11%]), fracture necrosis (1\/38 [3%]), and deep screw hole penetration (1\/38 [3%]).<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec>\n<jats:title>CLINICAL RELEVANCE<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Results indicated that shell fractures in freshwater turtles treated with surgical fixation techniques had a successful outcome. Most complications were minor, and fractures improved with time, resulting in acceptable fracture healing for release.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.21.09.0430","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,21]],"date-time":"2022-01-21T19:17:07Z","timestamp":1642792627000},"page":"1-6","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Successful outcome of shell fractures in freshwater turtles treated with plate or screws and wire fixation techniques: 51 cases (2014\u20132019)"],"prefix":"10.2460","volume":"260","author":[{"given":"Courtney N.","family":"Patson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Erin M.","family":"Lemley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI"},{"name":"Dane County Humane Society, Madison, WI"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eric W.","family":"Smalley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Global Equities Operations Innovation Division, JP Morgan Corporate and Investment Bank, Chicago, IL"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Grayson A.","family":"Doss","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christoph","family":"Mans","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1272","reference":[{"key":"ref1","series-title":"Mader\u2019s Reptile Medicine and Surgery","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"712","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-323-48253-0.00070-2","article-title":"Dermatology\u2014shell","author":"Meyer J","year":"2019","unstructured":"Meyer J, Selleri P. Dermatology\u2014shell. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader\u2019s Reptile Medicine and Surgery. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2019:712\u2013720.10.1016\/B978-0-323-48253-0.00070-2"},{"issue":"3","key":"ref2","series-title":"UK Vet.","first-page":"69","article-title":"Shell repair in chelonians","volume":"13","author":"Melidone R","year":"2010","unstructured":"Melidone R, Selleri P. Shell repair in chelonians. UK Vet. 2010;13(3):69\u201374. doi:10.1111\/j.2044-3862.2008.tb00262"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref3","series-title":"J Wildl Dis.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"699","DOI":"10.7589\/0090-3558-38.4.699","article-title":"Morbidity and mortality of reptiles admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1991 to 2000","volume":"38","author":"Brown JD","year":"2002","unstructured":"Brown JD, Sleeman JM. Morbidity and mortality of reptiles admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1991 to 2000. J Wildl Dis. 2002;38(4):699\u2013705. doi:10.7589\/0090-3558-38.4.69910.7589\/0090-3558-38.4.699"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref4","series-title":"J Wildl Dis.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.7589\/0090-3558-32.1.109","article-title":"Rehabilitation of native reptiles and amphibians in DuPage County, Illinois","volume":"32","author":"Hartup BK","year":"1996","unstructured":"Hartup BK. Rehabilitation of native reptiles and amphibians in DuPage County, Illinois. J Wildl Dis. 1996;32(1):109\u2013112. doi:10.7589\/0090-3558-32.1.10910.7589\/0090-3558-32.1.109"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref5","series-title":"Hum Wildl Interact.","first-page":"78","article-title":"Morbidity and mortality in reptiles presented to a wildlife care facility in central Illinois","volume":"8","author":"Rivas AE","year":"2014","unstructured":"Rivas AE, Allender MC, Mitchell M, Whittington JK. Morbidity and mortality in reptiles presented to a wildlife care facility in central Illinois. Hum Wildl Interact. 2014;8(1):78\u201387. doi:10.26077\/34wh-vh39"},{"key":"ref6","series-title":"Mader\u2019s Reptile Medicine and Surgery","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1116","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-323-48253-0.00113-6","article-title":"Shell surgery and repair","author":"Norton TM","year":"2019","unstructured":"Norton TM, Fleming GJ, Meyer J. Shell surgery and repair. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader\u2019s Reptile Medicine and Surgery. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2019:1116\u20131126.10.1016\/B978-0-323-48253-0.00113-6"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref7","series-title":"J Herpetol Med Surg.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.5818\/1529-9651.18.1.12","article-title":"A simple and inexpensive method of shell repair in chelonia","volume":"18","author":"Bogard C","year":"2008","unstructured":"Bogard C, Innis C. A simple and inexpensive method of shell repair in chelonia. J Herpetol Med Surg. 2008;18(1):12\u201313. doi:10.5818\/1529\u20139651.18.1.1210.5818\/1529-9651.18.1.12"},{"key":"ref8","series-title":"Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-1-4557-0893-2.00016-8","article-title":"New techniques in chelonian shell repair","author":"Fleming GJ","year":"2014","unstructured":"Fleming GJ. New techniques in chelonian shell repair. In: Mader DR, Divers SJ, eds. Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Elsevier; 2014:205\u2013212.10.1016\/B978-1-4557-0893-2.00016-8"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref9","series-title":"J Exot Pet Med.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1053\/j.jepm.2014.11.009","article-title":"TopClosure system adapted to chelonian shell repair","volume":"24","author":"Horowitz IH","year":"2015","unstructured":"Horowitz IH, Yanco E, Topaz M. TopClosure system adapted to chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2015;24(1):65\u201370. doi:10.1053\/j.jepm.2014.11.00910.1053\/j.jepm.2014.11.009"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref10","series-title":"J Herpetol Med Surg.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.5818\/1529-9651.11.4.31","article-title":"Metal bridges\u2014a new technique of turtle shell repair","volume":"11","author":"Richards J","year":"2001","unstructured":"Richards J. Metal bridges\u2014a new technique of turtle shell repair. J Herpetol Med Surg. 2001;11(4):31\u201334. doi:10.5818\/1529\u20139651.11.4.3110.5818\/1529-9651.11.4.31"},{"key":"ref11","series-title":"Zip-tie closure for turtle shell fractures: quick, simple and cheap","author":"Divers SJ","year":"2011","unstructured":"Divers SJ. Zip-tie closure for turtle shell fractures: quick, simple and cheap. Abstract in: Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Community Conference. North American Veterinary Community; 2011."},{"key":"ref12","series-title":"Proceedings of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium","first-page":"405","article-title":"Surgical repair of the chelonian carapace\/plastron","author":"Heatley JJ","year":"2017","unstructured":"Heatley JJ. Surgical repair of the chelonian carapace\/plastron. Abstract in: Proceedings of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium. American Board of Veterinary Practitioners; 2017:405\u2013406."},{"issue":"3","key":"ref13","series-title":"Exotic DVM.","first-page":"9","article-title":"Alternative method for cable tie shell repair in chelonia","volume":"9","author":"Lloyd C","year":"2009","unstructured":"Lloyd C. Alternative method for cable tie shell repair in chelonia. Exotic DVM. 2009;9(3):9\u201310."},{"issue":"7","key":"ref14","series-title":"Vet World.","first-page":"337","article-title":"Carapace fracture in a turtle\u2014a case report","volume":"3","author":"Joy N","year":"2010","unstructured":"Joy N, Jhala SK, Mehraj UDD, et al. Carapace fracture in a turtle\u2014a case report. Vet World. 2010;3(7):337\u2013338. doi:10.5455\/vetworld.2010.337-338"},{"issue":"4","key":"ref15","series-title":"J Exot Pet Med.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"246","DOI":"10.1053\/j.jepm.2008.08.001","article-title":"Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair","volume":"17","author":"Fleming GJ","year":"2008","unstructured":"Fleming GJ. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. J Exot Pet Med. 2008;17(4):246\u2013258. doi:10.1053\/j.jepm\/2008.08.00110.1053\/j.jepm.2008.08.001"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref16","series-title":"Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1016\/S1094-9194(03)00048-3","article-title":"Diagnosis and management of reptile orthopedic injuries","volume":"5","author":"Mitchell MA","year":"2002","unstructured":"Mitchell MA. Diagnosis and management of reptile orthopedic injuries. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2002;5(1):97\u2013114. doi:10.1016\/s1094-9194(03)00048-310.1016\/S1094-9194(03)00048-3"},{"key":"ref17","series-title":"Reptile Medicine and Surgery in clinical practice","first-page":"397","article-title":"Turtle shell repair","author":"Roffey J","year":"2018","unstructured":"Roffey J, Miles S. Turtle shell repair. In: Doneley B, Monks D, Johnson R, Carmel B, eds. Reptile Medicine and Surgery in clinical practice. John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2018:397\u2013408."},{"issue":"3","key":"ref18","series-title":"Wildl Middle East News.","first-page":"5","article-title":"Repair of a fractured plastron in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas)","volume":"3","author":"Hampel MR","year":"2008","unstructured":"Hampel MR, Robinson D, Baverstock W, Hyland K. Repair of a fractured plastron in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Wildl Middle East News. 2008;3(3):5."},{"issue":"5","key":"ref19","series-title":"Int J Vet Sci Anim Husb.","first-page":"25","article-title":"Shell fracture repair in red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) using k-wire and cortical screws\u2014a case report","volume":"2","author":"Joshi MM","year":"2017","unstructured":"Joshi MM, Darji PP. Shell fracture repair in red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) using k-wire and cortical screws\u2014a case report. Int J Vet Sci Anim Husb. 2017;2(5):25\u201326."},{"issue":"1","key":"ref20","series-title":"Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract.","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cvex.2003.08.006","article-title":"Wound management in reptiles","volume":"7","author":"Mitchell MA","year":"2004","unstructured":"Mitchell MA, Diaz-Figueroa O. Wound management in reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2004;7(1):123\u2013140. doi:10.1016\/j.cvex.2003.08.00610.1016\/j.cvex.2003.08.006"},{"key":"ref21","series-title":"Proceedings of the 16th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation","first-page":"54","article-title":"Nuts, bolts, plates, and screws: practical techniques for repairing fractured turtle shells","author":"George RH","year":"1996","unstructured":"George RH, Lee M, Moein-Bartol S. Nuts, bolts, plates, and screws: practical techniques for repairing fractured turtle shells. Abstract in: Proceedings of the 16th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 1996:54."},{"issue":"1","key":"ref22","series-title":"Lab Anim (NY).","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1038\/laban0109-13","article-title":"Management of freshwater turtle shell injuries","volume":"38","author":"Vella D","year":"2009","unstructured":"Vella D. Management of freshwater turtle shell injuries. Lab Anim (NY). 2009;38(1):13\u201314. doi:10.1038\/laban0109-1310.1038\/laban0109-13"},{"key":"ref23","series-title":"Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"216","DOI":"10.1002\/9781118656372.ch18","article-title":"Fractures of the shell","author":"Chitty J","year":"2013","unstructured":"Chitty J, Raftery A. Fractures of the shell. In: Chitty J, Raftery A, eds. Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery. John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2013:216\u2013221.10.1002\/9781118656372.ch18"}],"container-title":["Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/view\/journals\/javma\/260\/7\/javma.21.09.0430.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/downloadpdf\/journals\/javma\/260\/7\/javma.21.09.0430.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/downloadpdf\/journals\/javma\/260\/7\/javma.21.09.0430.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]],"date-time":"2025-03-07T12:52:06Z","timestamp":1741351926000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/avmajournals.avma.org\/view\/journals\/javma\/260\/7\/javma.21.09.0430.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,21]]},"references-count":23,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7"},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2460\/javma.21.09.0430","relation":{},"ISSN":["0003-1488"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0003-1488","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,21]]}}}