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Turner et al: Tibial Plateau Angle Changes following Repair of Salter–Harris Type 1 and 2 Fractures in Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • TPA decreased significantly from preoperative to follow-up (mean 5.89°; p < 0.001), and from immediate postoperative to follow-up (mean 2.2°; p = 0.018)
  • Use of tension band in addition to K-wires did not significantly improve TPA reduction compared to K-wires alone
  • Cranial K-wire positioning may attenuate growth at the cranial tibial physis, allowing relative caudal growth to reduce TPA over time
  • Dynamic TPA reduction may reduce risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture even when initial TPA is high
  • Small breeds (e.g., French Bulldogs) were overrepresented; further research is needed in larger breeds with more growth potential
  • Surgical reduction is difficult, but perfect alignment may not be essential if TPA reduces postoperatively
  • Radiographic TPA measurement was reliably performed with low interobserver variability
  • K-wire removal at 3–8 weeks may facilitate continued growth in growing dogs

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← Articles

Turner et al: Tibial Plateau Angle Changes following Repair of Salter–Harris Type 1 and 2 Fractures in Dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • TPA decreased significantly from preoperative to follow-up (mean 5.89°; p < 0.001), and from immediate postoperative to follow-up (mean 2.2°; p = 0.018)
  • Use of tension band in addition to K-wires did not significantly improve TPA reduction compared to K-wires alone
  • Cranial K-wire positioning may attenuate growth at the cranial tibial physis, allowing relative caudal growth to reduce TPA over time
  • Dynamic TPA reduction may reduce risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture even when initial TPA is high
  • Small breeds (e.g., French Bulldogs) were overrepresented; further research is needed in larger breeds with more growth potential
  • Surgical reduction is difficult, but perfect alignment may not be essential if TPA reduces postoperatively
  • Radiographic TPA measurement was reliably performed with low interobserver variability
  • K-wire removal at 3–8 weeks may facilitate continued growth in growing dogs

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, what was the average decrease in tibial plateau angle between injury and first reevaluation?

A. 2.2°
B. 3.5°
C. 5.9°
D. 7.8°
E. 10.4°

Answer: 5.9°

Explanation: The study found a mean decrease of 5.89° from injury to first reevaluation (p < 0.001).
In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, what surgical feature may contribute to the dynamic reduction in TPA over time?

A. Caudal placement of K-wires
B. Medial bone plating
C. Placement of epiphysiodesis screw
D. Cranial placement of K-wires
E. Periosteal stripping

Answer: Cranial placement of K-wires

Explanation: Cranial K-wire placement may attenuate cranial physis growth, allowing caudal physis to reduce TPA over time.
In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, which factor was NOT significantly associated with greater TPA reduction?

A. Use of tension band
B. K-wire cranial placement
C. Surgical repair over conservative management
D. Healing time > 4 weeks
E. Age at surgery

Answer: Use of tension band

Explanation: Tension band usage did not lead to significantly more TPA reduction than K-wires alone (p = 0.539).
In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, which breed was most represented in the study cohort?

A. Labrador Retriever
B. German Shepherd
C. French Bulldog
D. Border Collie
E. Beagle

Answer: French Bulldog

Explanation: French Bulldogs made up the largest portion of the sample (10/32), reflecting local demographics.
In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, what does the study suggest regarding further surgery when TPA remains high immediately postoperatively?

A. Always perform TPLO
B. If tension band was used, surgery is unnecessary
C. High TPA requires implant repositioning
D. Monitor, as TPA may reduce without intervention
E. Schedule revision surgery in 2 weeks

Answer: Monitor, as TPA may reduce without intervention

Explanation: The study supports avoiding further surgery despite high TPA if reduction is imperfect but stable.

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