Limb shortening as a strategy for limb sparing treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma of the distal radius in a dog

Objective To develop and report a novel limb sparing technique for the distal radius in a dog. Study design Case report. Animal A 14‐year‐old, female spayed Labrador Retriever with an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius and a pathological fracture. A previous mast cell tumor had been treated 5 years prior to presentation with marginal excision and a full‐course radiation over the right metacarpal bones. The dog had received 2 doses of palliative radiation just prior to presentation. Methods A standard resection of the distal radius was used as a strategy to salvage the limb. Instead of replacing the 6‐cm bone defect with an endoprosthesis, the limb was acutely shortened and a carpal arthrodesis plate was applied. Results Postoperative function was good and limb shortening was well‐tolerated. Radiographic evidence of early bone healing was noted at the osteotomy site. The dog experienced 3 postoperative complications: a focal area of skin necrosis managed successfully via surgical revision; infection resolving after long‐term antibiotherapy; and a fracture of the third metacarpal bone through a screw hole, managed via screw removal and a custom external prosthesis. The patient was euthanatized due to presumptive chemotherapy complications 127 days after the procedure. Conclusion Limb shortening limb salvage is technically feasible and can result in excellent limb use postoperatively, in spite of a significant loss in limb length.