Two-Day Fracture Course
Details
Location: Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
Date: March 7-8, 2026
CE Credits: 16 Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) credit hours
Price: $1,800
Auburn Vet Med Alumni may contact Meredith Smildsin (mls0052@auburn.edu), prior to registering, to receive a $200 discount code.
Course Description
This course is designed for small animal practitioners seeking practical, effective methods to manage long bone fractures in dogs and cats. Participants will learn simplified techniques suitable for both straightforward and comminuted fractures, using modern implants that enhance surgical efficiency and reduce costs. By following key principles of fracture repair, complications can be minimized and outcomes improved.
Through a combination of lectures, clinical case discussions, and hands-on practice, attendees will gain confidence in choosing appropriate fixation methods and performing repairs. Practical sessions include fracture repair on plastic bone models and canine specimens, followed by postoperative radiographs to assess technique and reinforce learning. Course attendees are asked to bring a laptop with mouse for this program. Laptops will be used during the V-POP planning portion of the course. A computer mouse is necessary for digital surgical planning.
PowerPoint slides will be provided electronically, in PDF format. Course registrants will receive access to the files at least 24 hours prior to the start of the course. Printed lecture notes are not provided.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the biology of bone healing and differentiate between primary and secondary healing
- Review fracture classification systems and fixation strategies
- Learn direct and indirect f racture reduction techniques and when to apply each approach
- Apply the biomechanics of intramedullary pins, cerclage wires, bone screws, and plates, including neutralization and bridging methods
Instructor
Kayla Corriveau, DVM, DACVS (SA)
Dr. Kayla Corriveau received her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA in 2011. She continued her training with rotating and surgical specialty internships at California Veterinary Specialists, the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Corriveau then completed a small animal surgical residency at Texas A&M University. After residency, she joined the Auburn University team as an assistant professor of small animal orthopedics in September 2017 with subsequent promotion to associate professor. Her clinical and research interests include arthroscopic surgery, minimally invasive fracture repair, and treatment of osteoarthritis.
Schedule
Day 1
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Welcome, Introductions, and Workshop Objectives |
| 8:15 a.m. | Bone Healing |
| 8:45 a.m. | Types of Fractures & Fracture Assessment Scores |
| 9:15 a.m. | Surgical Approaches, Reduction Techniques, & Fracture Principles |
| 9:45 a.m. | Pins, Wires, and Screws |
| 10:30 a.m. | Lab 1: Tibial Sawbone Model (Long Oblique Fracture)
|
| 11:30 a.m. | Plate Implants and Long Bone Plating |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 p.m. | Lab 2: Femur Sawbone Model (Transverse Fracture) Plating |
| 1:45 p.m. | Mid- and Distal Diaphyseal Radius/Ulna Fractures |
| 2:30 p.m. | Lab 3: Canine Specimen – Transverse Distal Radial Fracture
|
| 3:45 p.m. | Diaphyseal Tibial Fractures |
| 4:15 p.m. | Lab 4: Canine Specimen – Long Oblique Mid-Diaphyseal Tibial Fracture
|
| 5:30 p.m. | Conclusion of the Day |
Day 2
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Radiographic Review & Group Discussion |
| 9:30 a.m. | Bone Grafting |
| 10:00 a.m. | Lab 5: Canine Specimen – Comminuted Radius/Ulna Fractures
|
| 11:15 a.m. | Lab 6: Canine Specimen – Comminuted Tibial Fracture
|
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. | Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures |
| 1:45 p.m. | V-POP Planning for Femoral Fractures |
| 2:15 p.m. | Lab 7: Canine Specimen – Approach to and Repair of Femoral Fracture |
| 3:30 p.m. | Lab 8: Canine Specimen – Approach to and Repair of Femoral Fracture |
| 4:45 p.m. | Perioperative & Postoperative Case Management |
| 5:30 p.m. | Conclusion of the Course |
Air Travel Options
Airline reservations are the responsibility of the course participant. Auburn, AL is on CST, and Georgia is on EST. Please take the time difference into consideration when making travel plans. The following airports are available:
| Airport | Approximate One-way Mileage to Auburn, AL |
|---|---|
| Columbus Airport, GA | 45 |
| Montgomery Regional Airport, AL | 60 |
| *Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, GA | 100 |
| *Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, AL | 120 |
*Preferred airports for most travelers