Objectives—To evaluate the outcome in dogs treated with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as an adjunct to orthopedic procedures.

Study Design—Retrospective and case-matched study.

Animals—Dogs (n = 75).

Methods—Medical records (1999–2006) and radiographs of dogs that had orthopedic procedures (comminuted fractures, tibial plateau leveling osteotomy [TPLO] where correction for tibial rotation created an osteotomy gap, arthrodeses, open corrective osteotomies) where DBM was used were reviewed for signalment, quantity of DBM implanted, duration of exercise restriction, radiographic healing, and complications. Dogs that had TPLO and correction of tibial torsion (n = 15) or arthrodesis (n = 16) were compared with case-matched controls. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test, ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test, and logistic regression analysis.

Results—Mean (± SD) healing time for orthopedic surgeries with DBM augmentation was 15 ± 6.97 weeks, and the complication rate was 19% (14 dogs). Dogs with a TPLO gap filled with DBM were allowed to return to normal exercise two weeks earlier than dogs with a well-apposed TPLO site. Radiographic healing, duration of exercise restriction, and timing of destabilization were similar in dogs undergoing carpal and tarsal arthrodesis, whether they received DBM, autogenous graft, or both.

Conclusions—DBM can be used to treat uncomplicated bone defects associated with comminuted fracture repairs, open osteotomies, and arthrodeses in dogs. Under these circumstances, clinicians might expect similar clinical outcomes without the side effects associated with the harvest of autogenous cancellous bone.

“Demineralized Bone Matrix provides a viable and safe alternative for bone regeneration, reducing the need for autogenous bone harvesting while maintaining effective healing outcomes in canine orthopedic surgery.”

Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM) has been widely studied as a bone graft substitute in veterinary orthopedic procedures. This retrospective case-matched study analyzed the outcomes of 75 dogs treated with DBM for bone defects associated with fractures, osteotomies, and arthrodeses. The study compared healing times, complication rates, and the effectiveness of DBM in augmenting standard orthopedic treatments.

The results indicated that DBM-supported bone healing was comparable to traditional autografts, with a mean healing time of approximately 15 weeks and a complication rate of 19%. Dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) with DBM were able to resume normal exercise two weeks earlier than those without DBM augmentation. Additionally, DBM demonstrated promising osteoinductive properties, promoting bone regeneration without the need for harvesting autogenous bone.

While DBM proved to be a viable alternative to autografts, further studies are necessary to evaluate its long-term effects and efficacy in more complex cases, such as delayed unions or nonunions. The findings suggest that DBM can be a safe and effective option in veterinary orthopedic surgery, reducing the need for invasive bone harvesting procedures.