Medial radio-carpal arthrodesis in three cats with a 2.0 mm locking maxillofacial plate system.

The medical records of three cats that were presented with severe carpal injury requiring radiocarpal arthrodesis were reviewed. Medial plating using the Compact 2.0 LOCK™ system was performed in all three cases. Although screw positioning may be difficult because of the large distance between the holes of the plate and the relatively large size of screws, plate loosening or metacarpal fractures did not occur. Long-term clinical and radiographic follow-up (6 months to 4.5 years) revealed excellent outcome in two cats. In the third cat, the radiocarpal joint did not undergo complete fusion. At four and a half years following surgery, recurrence of forelimb lameness was associated with breakage of the plate.