Effects of Reduction Pin on Tibial Tuberosity Fractures After Tibial Tuberosity Advancement in Dogs: A Retrospective Comparative Study
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Keywords:
Tibial tuberosity advancement, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, Tibial tuberosity fracture, porous titanium cageAbstract
Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) is commonly performed to restore stifle stability in
dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Despite generally favorable outcomes, distal tibial tuberosity
fracture remains a recognized complication. This study evaluated whether intraoperative placement of a
reduction pin during TTA influences fracture incidence and severity. Medical records and postoperative
radiographs of 62 dogs undergoing unilateral TTA were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were divided
according to intraoperative pin usage: pin group (n = 21) and no-pin group (n = 41). Follow-up
radiographs were assessed for fracture presence, timing, and morphology. Fractures were categorized as
nondisplaced or avulsion with displacement. Incidence and morphology were compared using Fisher’s
exact test. Distal tibial tuberosity fractures occurred in 4/21 dogs (19.0%) in the pin group and 9/41 dogs
(22.0%) in the no-pin group, with no significant difference in overall incidence. However, fracture
morphology differed significantly between groups. The pin group predominantly developed nondisplaced
fractures, whereas the no-pin group showed a higher proportion of avulsion-type fractures. Use of a
reduction pin was associated with an approximately 90% decrease in the probability of avulsion. In
conclusion, although the placement of a reduction pin did not reduce the overall incidence of distal tibial
tuberosity fractures after TTA, its use was associated with a reduction in fracture severity by limiting
avulsion-type failures. These findings suggest a protective role of the reduction pin against distal tibial
tuberosity avulsion following TTA.
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