Fractures of the radius and ulna are common in dogs, with recent data suggesting that the radius and ulna are the most commonly fractured bones in the appendicular skeleton.1 Radius and ulna fractures are particularly common in small and toy breed dogs with a prevalence greater than twice that occurring in medium, large and giant breed dogs. The increased prevalence of radius and ulna fracture in small dogs may be partially explained by differences in bone morphology between large and small dogs. A study evaluating radius morphology relative to dog size demonstrated that the distal antebrachium is more prone to fracture in small dogs than in large dogs when loaded proportionately, based on bone shape.2 Fracture of the radius and ulna is most commonly associated with trauma secondary to a fall and can occur at any location in the bone, but is most common in the distal diaphysis, with as many as 85% of fractures occurring in this location.
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