An isolated intraarticular talar fracture in a dog

A 3.5‐year‐old, male Hungarian Vizsla was referred for assessment of acute onset non‐weight‐bearing lameness of the right pelvic limb following a trauma involving slipping on the beach. There was no evidence of bony involvement on initial radiographs taken at the primary care practice. On orthopaedic examination, the patient was non‐weight‐bearing lame on the right pelvic limb, had palpable fluid swelling to the right tarsus suggestive of joint effusion, and palpation under sedation demonstrated mild instability of the right tarsocrural joint. Computed tomography revealed an isolated, simple, non‐displaced, oblique, intraarticular talar fracture. The fracture was subsequently stabilised by immobilising the tarsocrural joint with a transarticular external skeletal fixator. Repeated computed tomography (6 weeks after surgery) demonstrated evidence of fracture healing. With further supportive external coaptation, adjunctive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, the dog made a complete recovery and returned to full function.