{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T08:10:29Z","timestamp":1783930229755,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,12]],"date-time":"2026-07-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783814400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Distal radial and ulnar fractures in miniature- and toy-breed dogs are associated with high rates of delayed union, non-union, and refracture. This retrospective observational study evaluated the outcomes of simple distal radial and ulnar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using a locking plate in a non-rigid configuration. Ten fractures in eight dogs weighing less than 5 kg were included. Cases were selected according to predefined biomechanical construct criteria, including a plate bridge ratio &gt; 0.7, plate span ratio &gt; 10, plate working length &gt; 40% of the plate length, and screw density &lt; 0.6. The median radiographic follow-up was 224 days (range, 46\u2013408 days). Radiographic bone healing was achieved in all cases, with a mean time to union of 53 days (range, 28\u2013113 days), and healing occurred faster in skeletally immature dogs. Indirect bone healing with callus formation was observed in 7 of 10 fractures. Minor postoperative complications occurred in three cases and resolved with local treatment. No implant failures or refractures associated with previous screw holes were observed. A reduction in ulnar thickness was identified in evaluable cases, although this finding remained stable during follow-up and did not appear clinically relevant. These findings suggest that locking plate fixation in a non-rigid configuration provides reliable bone healing with a low complication rate in simple distal radial and ulnar fractures of miniature- and toy-breed dogs.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani16142162","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T07:28:27Z","timestamp":1783927707000},"page":"2162","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Treatment of Simple Fractures of Distal Aspect of Radius and Ulna in Miniature- and Toy-Breed Dogs with Locking Plate in a Non-Rigid Configuration: An Observational Study of 10 Cases"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-4458-8665","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alejandro","family":"Blanco","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Servicio de Traumatolog\u00eda, Ortopedia, y Cirug\u00eda de la Columna, Hospital de Urgencias Veterinarias de la Regi\u00f3n de Murcia, 30110 Murcia, Spain"},{"name":"Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2206-1886","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fidel","family":"San Rom\u00e1n-Llorens","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain"},{"name":"Hospital Centro Cl\u00ednico Veterinario de Zaragoza, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fidel","family":"San Rom\u00e1n","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-3530-4513","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cristina","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-9173-6096","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alberto","family":"Climent","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Juan Jos\u00e9","family":"Fuertes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Hospital Centro Cl\u00ednico Veterinario de Zaragoza, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ana","family":"Whyte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"1953","article-title":"Fractures of the radius and ulna","volume":"Volume 2","author":"Slatter","year":"2003","journal-title":"Textbook of Small Animal Surgery"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"575","DOI":"10.1292\/jvms.23-0520","article-title":"Elucidation of the radius and ulna fracture mechanisms in toy poodle dogs using finite element analysis","volume":"86","author":"Anggoro","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Vet. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1016\/S0195-5616(92)50009-2","article-title":"Fractures of the radius and ulna","volume":"22","author":"Rudd","year":"1992","journal-title":"Vet. Clin. N. Am. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-950X.1997.tb01463.x","article-title":"The intraosseous blood supply of the canine radius: Implications for healing of distal fractures in small dogs","volume":"26","author":"Welch","year":"1997","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Piermattei, D.L., Flo, G.L., and DeCamp, C.E. (2006). Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo\u2019s Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair, Elsevier. [4th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"12","article-title":"Repair of distal radio-ulnar fractures in toy breeds of dogs","volume":"1","author":"Herron","year":"1974","journal-title":"Canine Pract."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.5326\/15473317-35-3-243","article-title":"Bone plate fixation of distal radius and ulna fractures in small- and miniature-breed dogs","volume":"35","author":"Larsen","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Am. Anim. Hosp. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"643","article-title":"Fractures of the radius and ulna in the dog","volume":"19","author":"Lappin","year":"1983","journal-title":"J. Am. Anim. Hosp. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"228","DOI":"10.3415\/VCOT-10-06-0089","article-title":"Treatment of fractures of the distal radius and ulna in toy breed dogs with circular external skeletal fixation: A retrospective study","volume":"24","author":"Piras","year":"2011","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"132","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0038-1632769","article-title":"Use of the tubular external fixator in the treatment of distal radial and ulnar fractures in small dogs and cats","volume":"16","author":"Haas","year":"2003","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0038-1632721","article-title":"Simple and multiple fractures of the radius treated with an external fixator","volume":"15","author":"Laverty","year":"2002","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-5827.1990.tb00484.x","article-title":"A technique for the management of radial and ulnar fractures in miniature dogs using transfixation pins","volume":"31","author":"Egger","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"367","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-950X.1989.tb01102.x","article-title":"Radial and tibial fracture repair with external skeletal fixation: Effects of fracture type, reduction and complications on healing","volume":"18","author":"Johnson","year":"1989","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"938","DOI":"10.1111\/vsu.13245","article-title":"Clinical outcomes of 119 miniature- and toy-breed dogs with 140 distal radial and ulnar fractures repaired with free-form multiplanar type II external skeletal fixation","volume":"48","author":"Aikawa","year":"2019","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"587","DOI":"10.1111\/vsu.12647","article-title":"Radius and ulna fracture repair with the IMEX miniature circular external skeletal fixation system in 37 small and toy breed dogs: A retrospective study","volume":"46","author":"Bierens","year":"2017","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"6","article-title":"Surgical treatment of distal combined fractures of the radius and ulna in toy breeds using a type II external fixator and an intramedullary pin: A retrospective study","volume":"53","author":"Gellermann","year":"2025","journal-title":"Tierarztl. Prax. Ausg. K Kleintiere\/Heimtiere"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"377","article-title":"Cuttable plate fixation for small breed dogs with radius and ulna fractures: Retrospective study of 31 dogs","volume":"58","author":"Watrous","year":"2017","journal-title":"Can. Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1419","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.250.12.1419","article-title":"Open reduction and cranial bone plate fixation of fractures involving the distal aspect of the radius and ulna in miniature- and toy-breed dogs: 102 cases (2008\u20132015)","volume":"250","author":"Benamou","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0038-1632921","article-title":"Use of the AO veterinary mini \u2018T\u2019-plate for stabilisation of distal radius and ulna fractures in toy breed dogs","volume":"18","author":"Hamilton","year":"2005","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.3415\/VCOT-15-02-0042","article-title":"Locking compression plate stabilization of 20 distal radial and ulnar fractures in toy and miniature breed dogs","volume":"28","author":"Gibert","year":"2015","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"522","DOI":"10.3415\/VCOT-16-01-0014","article-title":"Clinical evaluation of a mini locking plate system for fracture repair of the radius and ulna in miniature breed dogs","volume":"29","author":"Kang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"308","DOI":"10.1055\/a-2509-3638","article-title":"Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of 1.5-mm Locking Plate Fixation for 30 Radial and Ulnar Fractures in Dogs","volume":"38","author":"Swepson","year":"2025","journal-title":"Vet. Comp. Orthop. Traumatol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"983","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cvsm.2012.06.004","article-title":"Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in small animals: Radius and ulna fractures","volume":"42","author":"Hudson","year":"2012","journal-title":"Vet. Clin. N. Am. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-950X.2012.01009.x","article-title":"Retrospective comparison of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and open reduction and internal fixation of radius-ulna fractures in dogs","volume":"42","author":"Pozzi","year":"2013","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"442","article-title":"Treatment of common forelimb fractures in miniature and toy breed dogs","volume":"29","author":"Waters","year":"1993","journal-title":"J. Am. Anim. Hosp. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"137","article-title":"Distal antebrachial fractures in toy breed dogs","volume":"19","author":"Muir","year":"1997","journal-title":"Compend. Contin. Educ. Pract. Vet."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-5827.1980.tb01221.x","article-title":"The complications of diaphyseal fractures in dogs: A review of 100 cases","volume":"21","author":"Hunt","year":"1980","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-5827.1974.tb05699.x","article-title":"A comparative investigation into the healing of fractures in miniature poodles and mongrel dogs","volume":"15","year":"1974","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"21","article-title":"Nonunion fractures in dogs","volume":"3","author":"Atilola","year":"1984","journal-title":"J. Vet. Orthop."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"173","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1748-5827.1964.tb04233.x","article-title":"A clinical study of non-union fractures in the dog","volume":"5","author":"Vaughan","year":"1964","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"124","DOI":"10.1097\/00003086-199201000-00014","article-title":"The relationship between stress shielding and bone resorption around total hip stems and the effects of flexible materials","volume":"274","author":"Huiskes","year":"1992","journal-title":"Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1302\/0301-620X.65B1.6822605","article-title":"The effects of metal plates on post-traumatic remodelling and bone mass","volume":"65","author":"Uhthoff","year":"1983","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Br."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1507","DOI":"10.2106\/00004623-199410000-00010","article-title":"Cortical porosis under plates: Reaction to unloading or to necrosis?","volume":"76","author":"Uhthoff","year":"1994","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1302\/0301-620X.58B1.1270486","article-title":"Protection from stress in bone and its effects: Experiments with stainless steel and plastic plates in dogs","volume":"58","author":"Tonino","year":"1976","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Br."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"696","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.1986.189.06.696","article-title":"Cancellous bone grafting at plate removal to counteract stress protection","volume":"189","author":"Lesser","year":"1986","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"e1118","article-title":"Clinical outcomes of orthogonal plating to treat radial and ulnar fractures in toy-breed dogs","volume":"190","author":"Higuchi","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Small Anim. Pract."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"715","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100130511","article-title":"Cortical bone perfusion in plated fractured sheep tibiae","volume":"13","author":"Kregor","year":"1995","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"471","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100080402","article-title":"Effect of fracture fixation on cortical bone blood flow","volume":"8","author":"Smith","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00443472","article-title":"Effect of animal species and age on plate-induced vascular damage in cortical bone","volume":"111","author":"Lippuner","year":"1992","journal-title":"Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"905","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-950X.2010.00763.x","article-title":"Proposed definitions and criteria for reporting time frame, outcome, and complications for clinical orthopedic studies in veterinary medicine","volume":"39","author":"Cook","year":"2010","journal-title":"Vet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.2106\/JBJS.J.00780","article-title":"Effects of construct stiffness on healing of fractures stabilized with locking plates","volume":"92","author":"Bottlang","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S4","DOI":"10.1097\/BOT.0b013e318207093e","article-title":"Biomechanical principles and mechanobiologic aspects of flexible and locked plating","volume":"25","author":"Claes","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"488","DOI":"10.1097\/00005131-200409000-00003","article-title":"Biomechanics of locked plates and screws","volume":"18","author":"Egol","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"462","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.20990","article-title":"Effect of fracture gap on stability of compression plate fixation: A finite element study","volume":"28","author":"Oh","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100020113","article-title":"Changes in long-bone structural properties during the first 8 weeks of plate implantation","volume":"2","author":"Carter","year":"1984","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1112","DOI":"10.2460\/ajvr.72.8.1112","article-title":"In vitro comparison of stiffness of plate fixation of radii from large- and small-breed dogs","volume":"72","author":"Gauthier","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Vet. Res."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1016\/j.injury.2003.09.026","article-title":"Guidelines for the clinical application of the LCP","volume":"34","author":"Gautier","year":"2003","journal-title":"Injury"},{"key":"ref_48","first-page":"189","article-title":"The evolution of locked plates","volume":"88","author":"Kubiak","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1097\/00005131-199701000-00005","article-title":"Strength recovery in fractured sheep tibia treated with a plate or an internal fixator: An experimental study with a two-year follow-up","volume":"11","author":"Tepic","year":"1997","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"304","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00636166","article-title":"The limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP)","volume":"109","author":"Perren","year":"1990","journal-title":"Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1007\/s007760300044","article-title":"Revolution in plate osteosynthesis: New internal fixator systems","volume":"8","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sci."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"368","DOI":"10.1097\/00005131-199707000-00013","article-title":"Bone plate fixation: An evaluation of interface contact area and force of the dynamic compression plate (DCP) and the limited contact-dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) applied to cadaveric bone","volume":"11","author":"Field","year":"1997","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1097\/00005373-199801000-00028","article-title":"A biomechanical evaluation of different plates for fixation of canine radial osteotomies","volume":"44","author":"Jain","year":"1998","journal-title":"J. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"405","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2010.11.020","article-title":"Choosing a proper working length can improve the lifespan of locked plates: A biomechanical study","volume":"26","author":"Hoffmeier","year":"2011","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_55","unstructured":"Barnhart, M.D., and Maritato, K.C. (2021). Locking Plates in Veterinary Orthopedics, Wiley."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/14\/2162\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T07:41:41Z","timestamp":1783928501000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/14\/2162"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,12]]},"references-count":55,"journal-issue":{"issue":"14","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]}},"alternative-id":["ani16142162"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani16142162","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,12]]}}}