# Use of bone callus as a source of bone graft for concurrent tibial malunion repair and contralateral pantarsal arthrodesis in a domestic shorthair cat—a case report

## TL;DR

A cat with leg injuries had successful surgery using bone from its own healing fracture to repair both legs, avoiding extra tissue damage.

## Contribution

This is the first report of using bone callus as a graft source in veterinary surgery to correct tibial malunion and arthrodesis.

## Key findings

- Modified chipping technique successfully harvested bone graft from callus for tibial malunion and arthrodesis.
- Post-operative radiographs showed improved tibial alignment and successful arthrodesis.
- Functional recovery was good at 3 months post-surgery.

## Abstract

A domestic shorthair cat, estimated 1 year old, was presented from a local rescue with traumatic injuries of unknown cause to both pelvic limbs. Radiographs revealed a left tibial malunion with marked callus formation and complex right tarsocrural joint injuries. A modified chipping technique was used to provide a source of autogenous bone graft from the callus for both the malunion correction and the contralateral pantarsal arthrodesis. Post-operative radiographs showed significant improvement in the left tibial alignment and adequate arthrodesis of the right tarsal joints. There was good functional outcome at 3 months post-operatively. This case report highlights the potential of bone callus to be used as a bone graft, presenting a unique technique to avoid donor site morbidity associated with traditional autogenous bone grafts. The modified chipping technique can also be employed in malunion revision surgeries to effectively correct resultant angular deformities while preserving the fracture haematoma. To the authors' knowledge these have not been reported in the veterinary literature.