Objectives: To describe the aetiology, presentation, complications and outcome in cats with traumatic injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis.
Materials and methods: Retrospective series of five client-owned cats. Medical records were retrieved for cats with traumatic injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis between November 2011 and December 2024 at a veterinary teaching hospital. Sex, age at the time of surgery, presenting lameness, surgical technique used, follow-up time, complications and outcome were recorded for each cat.
Results: Five cats were included in this study; of these, four developed the injury as a result of catching their paw in a horizontal drawer handle. All cats were treated with partial tarsal arthrodesis stabilised with a bone plate, applied laterally in three cats and medially in two cats. No intra-operative complications or major post-operative complications were recorded. Four of the five cats had post-operative paw swelling on the operated limb. Clinical and radiographic follow-up assessment was performed 60 to 87 days post-operatively. At final recheck examination, four of the five cats exhibited no lameness. One cat exhibited mild weight bearing lameness, and one cat had mild iatrogenic tarsal valgus associated with incorrect plate contouring.
Clinical significance: Partial tarsal arthrodesis with bone plate fixation for management of traumatic injury of the tarsometatarsal joint in cats is associated with excellent outcomes for return to pre-injury activities. The procedure commonly results in transient paw swelling in the immediate post-operative period. Horizontal drawer handles pose an injury risk to cats jumping from heights.
