This cat had a fracture-luxation between the metatarsal bones and the tarsal bones (bones of the foot and of the ankle respectively).
These were stabilised with an external fixator. This was placed “closed” ie) without opening up the injury. The pins are small because the bones are small. This makes them relatively weak so bars on both sides of the foot are used. The cat was rapidly weight bearing once the frame was placed, but these cases need close confinement because the frame can easily “hook up” on all sorts of things round the house. Supervised walking on the floor was allowed.
24th March 2016
