Diseases of the carpus and tarsus Flashcards

(58 cards)

1
Q

Which side is medial and which is lateral?

A
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2
Q

Which side is medial and which is lateral?

A
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3
Q

What is the difference between a short collateral ligament and a long collateral ligament?

A
  • Short portion
    • Taut in both flexion and extension
    • Cross joint obliquely–> rotational stability
    • Anatomically divided into 2 parts
    • Connect adjacent bones only
    • Do not bridge more than 1 joint
  • Long portion
    • Spans entire tarsus–tibia to metatarsals
    • Taut in extension only
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4
Q

T/F: All ligaments in the carpus are short ligaments

A

TRUE

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5
Q

What is the typical etiology of collateral injuries?

A

Typically arise from HBC or other trauma

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6
Q

T/F: Collateral injuries can lead to permanent damage, so you should always treat them ASAP following any kind of trauma

A

FALSE

Always treat life-threatening trauma FIRST

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7
Q

T/F: You should always assess the thorax in major trauma

A

TRUE

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8
Q

T/F: Collateral injuries frequently occur on the medial side of the joint and have loss of both soft tissue and bone

A

TRUE

“Road rash”

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9
Q

How do you assess collateral injuries?

A

PE and rads

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10
Q

Which radiograph views are necessary and why?

A
  • Standard dorsopalmar and lateral views
  • Rule out fractures
  • Stress radiographic views
  • Necessary even when collateral injury is obvious
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11
Q

What is meant by “valgus stress” and “varus stress”?

A
  • Valgus = Laterally deviates distal limb
  • Varus = medialy deviates distal limb
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12
Q

What stress radiographic views are used to assess collateral injury?

A
  • Dorsopalmar stress views
    • Dorsopalmar views with valgus/varus stress
    • Documents injury
  • Wooden spoon can act as fulcrum
  • Tape pulls distal limb medially or laterally
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13
Q

How will both valgus and varus stress affect the distal limb following a medial collateral injury?

A
  • Valgus stress–pressure from the medial side moves the distal limb laterally
    • Pressure opens the joint on the medial side due to MCL deficiency
  • Varus stress–pressure from the lateral side moves the distal limb medially
    • Pressure does NOT open the joint because the LCL is intact
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14
Q

What are the treatment options for collateral injury?

A
  • Conservative management is rarely useful
    • Splinting + rest unhelpful as sole treatment
    • May be necessary if sx is delayed
    • ESF in the presence of soft tissue trauma (instead of coaptation)
  • Coaptation may be used, but not as sole treatment
  • Surgical treatment is preferred
    • Reconstruct/replace collateral
  • Salvage necessary with excessive trauma
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15
Q

How is collateral ligament replacement performed?

A
  • Screw or bone tunnel in origin and insertion of each ligament
  • NONabsorbable, large diameter suture placed in figure 8 pattern
  • Take ligamet anatomy into account:
    • Carpus: stimulate short ligament(s)
      • Medial: straight, oblique (2)
      • Lateral: straight only
    • Tarsus: stimulate short AND long ligaments
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16
Q

What kind of suture is needed for collateral ligament replacement?

A

Large diameter, NON-absorbable suture

Ex: #2 (MUCH larger than 2-0)

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17
Q

What structures are damaged in hyperextension injuries?

A
  • Palmar/plantar support ligaments
  • Allows abnormal motion (hyperextension) between rows of tarsal/carpal bones
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18
Q

What do the terms “flexor retinaculum” and “palmar fibrocartilage” refer to?

A
  • Flexor retinaculum encloses DDF tendon
  • Palmar fibrocartilage extends from the distal aspect of the proximal carpal bones *radial, ulnar) to the proximal aspect of the metacarpals
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19
Q

What are the common etiologies of hyperextension injuries?

A
  • Trauma
  • Immune-mediated arthropathy
    • Disease weakens palmar/plantar stabilizers
    • Corticosteroids also tend to weaken ligaments
  • Breed-related: middle-aged shelties/collies
    • Chronic, progressive breakdown
    • Genetic weakness suspected
    • May be bilateral
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20
Q

Name/describe the joints of the carpus

A
  • Antibrachiocarpal joint
    • Between radius/ulna and proximal row
    • Almost all motion occurs here
  • Middle carpal joint
    • Between 1st and 2nd rows
  • Carpometacarpal joint
    • Between 2nd row and metacarpal bones
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21
Q

Name/describe the joints of the tarsus

A
  • Tarsocrural (tibiotarsal) joint
    • Between tibia (crus) and talus
    • Almost all motion occurs here
  • Proximal intertarsal
  • Calcaneoquartal–calcaneus and 4th tarsal
  • Tarsometatarsal
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22
Q

How do you identify hyperextension injuries on a PE?

A
  • Hallmark: hyperextended stance
    • ​Tarsus: dropped hock
      • Tarsus touches but calcaneous tilted proximally
    • Plantigrade stance: calcanean tuberosity touches
    • Dropped hock does NOT equal ‘plantigrade stance’
      • Dropped hock = joint sitting lower than it should
      • Plantigrade = heel touching ground
        *
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23
Q

How are radiographs used in hyperextension injuries?

A
  • Standard views
    • Rule out other injuries
    • Provide basis for comparison
  • Stress views
    • Determine diagnosis
    • Determine level of injury
      • Use lateral views for hyperextension injury
      • Stabilize limb proximal to carpus/tarsus
      • Stimulate wt.-bearing to detect instability
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24
Q

Diagnosis?

A

Hyperextension of the carpus

25
T/F: Conservative management of hyperextension injuries is rarely useful
TRUE Use prior to surgery only
26
Can coaptation be used as definitive treatment for hyperextension injuries?
NO
27
What is the preferred treatment for hyperextension injuries?
**Surgery** Arthrodesis of affected joint + joints distal **Required for definitive treatment**
28
What is partial carpal arthrodesis?
* Indicated if antebrachiocarpal joint is **healthy** * Middle and carpometacarpal joints are fused using a T-plate or pins * Function of carpus is almost unaffected--almost all motion at antebrachiocarpal joint
29
What is pancarpal arthrodesis?
* Antebrachiocarpal joint is abnormal * All 3 joints fused * DCP applied--specialized plates * Dorsal application is typical * Lateral application is described
30
T/F: The tibiotarsal joint is rarely injured by hyperextension
TRUE
31
What are the differences between arthrodesis of the calcaneoquartal and proximal intertarsal joint?
* Calcaneoquartal * Lateral half of proximal intertarsal joint * Lag screw or pin/tension band * Applicable for most situations * Proximal intertarsal * Entire joint * Lateral plate
32
Compare and contrast proximal intertarsal arthrodesis to tarsometatarsal arthrodesis
* Proximal intertarsal * Partial tarsal arthrodesis * Plate engages calcaneus * No effect on tibiotarsal articulation * Full ROM is maintained * Tarsometatarsal * Lateral plate * Partial tarsal arthrodesis * No effect on tibiotarsal articulation * Full ROM is maintained
33
Diagnosis?
Proximal intertarsal hyperextension
34
What procedure was performed on this hyperextension injury?
Calcaneoquartal arthrodesis
35
Diagnosis?
Tarsometatarsal hyperextension
36
What post-op management is required following arthrodesis (regardless of location)?
* Coaptation * 4-8wks * Splint or external fixator * Activity restriction until bony fusion * Expect 3mo minimum * Radiographs Q4wks to assess healing * Explantation occasionally required
37
What is the signalment/presentation of carpal laxity syndrome?
* Young (5-27wks) * Usually male (predisposed) * Lots of breeds
38
How is carpal laxity syndrome recognized?
* Loose joint * Hyperextension, hyperflexion, flexural deformity w/ palpable injury
39
What are the treatment recommendations for carpal laxiy syndrome?
* Spontaneous recovery in 1-4wks * Diet (energy-restricted) * Controlled exercise * Flooring w/ good traction
40
What is the prognosis for carpal laxity syndrome?
Excellent
41
What are the components of the common calcanean tendon?
* Gastrocnemius tendons * Combined tendons of the gracillis, semitendinosis, biceps femoris * Tendon of the SDF
42
What is the difference in signalment between complete and partial rupture of the calcanean tendon?
* Complete: plantigrade stance * Partial * SDF usually preserved * Partial hyperflexion * Flexion of digits
43
What is the difference in history of complete and partial rupture of the calcanean tendon?
* Complete * Acute * Usually trauma * Partial * Chronic * Minimal to no trauma * Medium and large-breeds (lab, doberman) * Older female cats * Cause unknown (repetitive trauma suspected)
44
What is the procedure for calcanean tendon repair?
* Debride tendon ends * Primary tendon repair * 3-loop pulley \> locking loop * Immobilize tarsus in extension * 6-8wks
45
What type of suture is indicated in tendon repair? Why?
Heavy, monofilament **non-absorbable** suture The tendon has very poor blood suppy--need suture to last long enough for the tendon to heal (6-8wks)
46
T/F: Post-op coaptation is required following tendon repair
**TRUE**--cannot repair well enough for it to be weight-bearing while healing External fixator, splint, or giant lag screw
47
What is the prognosis for tendon rupture following treatment?
* Generally good * Most (\>75%) dogs and cats return to fx * Working dogs more guarded * Immobilizing post-op is VERY important * Complications related to coaptation method
48
What is the breed susceptibility for OCD of the hock?
Rotweilers predisposed Same breeds as with OCD anywhere
49
T/F: OCD of the hock is frequently unilateral
FALSE--frequently bilateral
50
Where on the hock does OCD usually occur?
Lesion is usually located on the **medial** ridge of the talus (Rotweilers commonly have OCD on the lateral ridge)
51
What is the hock flexion test?
* Flex the limb and hold in hyperflexion and have the dog walk away--see if lameness is aggravated * Only tells that there is a problem in the hock--will **not diagnose** OCD
52
How is OCD of the hock diagnosed?
Radiographs--articular flattening, lucency
53
What radiographic views are necessary for diagnosis of OCD in the hock?
* Standard lateral and craniocaudal views (might not see lesion) * Flexed lateral--expose proximal talus * Flexed craniocaudal--cranial trochlear ridges
54
What are the treatment options for OCD of the hock?
* Medical therapy--older dog, established OA * Surgery * Fragment excision/debridement * Young dog, no OA * Heals w/ fibrocartilage * Arthroscopy vs. arthrotomy * Tibiotarsal (aka tarsocrural) arthrodesis
55
What is the prognosis for OCD of the hock?
* Guarded to poor * Sx intervention * Arthrotomy and fragment removal may be no better than medical management * **Arthroscopy = ideal** * Sx doesn't prevent development of OA * Current wisdom * **Sx improves function somewhat** * **Does not eliminate lameness**
56
What are the indications for tarsocrural arthrodesis?
* Fractures--comminuted articular * Luxation--persistent instability * Failed collateral injury repair * Failed partial arthrodesis * Failed calcanean tendon repair * OA not responsive to medical management * End-stage OCD * Previous trauma
57
Explain the tarsocrural arthrodesis procedure using the basic principles
* Fuse tibiotarsal joint at standing angle * Remove articular cartilage * Sagittal saw--distal tibia/proximal talus * Burr-small joints * Pack with bone graft * Rigid fixation * Plate--dorsal, lateral, or medial * Type 2 external skeleton fixator
58
What is the expected long-term outcom for pantarsal arthrodesis?
* Loss of hock ROM * Mechanical lameness * Most dogs have acceptable function * Pet: good * Working dog: guarded to poor