Keeping up with Kurt

The latest from Holly

Kurt’s external fixation:

photos radiograph

External fixation concept

Canine forelimb skeletal anatomy

Human external fixation device

Kurt’s injury timeline

Kurt is a seeing eye dog, a lab/golden retriever cross, born October 28, 2008. Holly Woodley of Puppy Raisers of UD (PROUD) is training Kurt. We haven’t seen Kurt in class lately because he had surgery. As a bit of applied anatomy, here is some information about his treatment. The skeletal anatomy of the human and dog forelimb are quite similar.

Update from Holly, Oct. 2:

Kurt had a double fracture through his radius and ulna. It was misdiagnosed at first, so the fracture set and healed before he finally made it back to The Seeing Eye to get it examined. By that time, his leg had a very obvious valgus deformity. During his first surgery, which he had in early June, the vet removed a chunk of his radius. She felt that since his growth plate hadn't fused yet, the bone might have continued to grow and straighten itself out. Kurt went back to The Seeing Eye every two weeks throughout the summer so that the vets could take x-rays and chart his growth. At the end of August, the vets determined that no more growth would be achieved in his leg. That's why they took him back up to The Seeing Eye during the second week of classes . Kurt is still at The Seeing Eye recovering from this surgery and being closely monitored by the vets.

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Update from Holly, Oct. 8:

Kurt should be returning from The Seeing Eye during the first week of November. However, it’s not official yet. He seems to be recovering very well!

Update from Holly, Oct. 20:

I just learned yesterday that Kurt has had a little set back. He has an infection in the site and is on a high level of antibiotic. It also looks like the leg is just not healing as we would like. The surgeon is considering doing yet another surgery on him.

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Kurt’s external fixation – on radius and ulna

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Kurt’s external fixation – on radius and ulna

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The wrapping for Kurt’s external fixator.

An external fixation device may be used to keep fractured bones stabilized and in alignment. The device can be adjusted externally to ensure the bones remain in an optimal position during the healing process. This device is commonly used in children and when the skin over the fracture has been damaged. Source: “External fixation device”, Medline Plus, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/18021.htm retrieved 2009-10-02.

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Canine humerus, radius, and ulna (left limb, lateral aspect).Source: “Vetenarian specimens from Skulls Unlimited”, http://www.skullsunlimited.com/graphics/vt-106-lg.jpg, retrieved 2009-10-02.

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External fixation for fracture of the distal radius. Source: “Wrist Fracture/External Fixation – Patient Story”, emedx.com, http://www.emedx.com/emedx/surgery_stories/wrist_external_fixator.htm , retrieved 2009-10-02.

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Kurt’s Injury TimelineThis picture is of Kurt the day after he broke his leg. It is obvious that he isn't putting any weight on his left front leg and it is slightly turned outward.

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Kurt’s Injury TimelineThis picture of Kurt was taken after his first surgery that he had in June. Part of his incision can be seen and there is a prominent valgus deformity.

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Kurt’s Injury TimelineThis picture shows how Kurt’s leg was in late July. There is a "callus" on his leg.

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Kurt’s Injury Timeline

This picture shows Kurt’s leg in August .

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