Lecture 26 4/4/25 Flashcards by Danika Boltz

What are the characteristics of humerus fractures in bovine?

-rare
-typically young adults housed together
-high energy fracture as a result of concussion when foot fits the ground

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Why do animals with humerus fractures often present with walking on the dorsal aspect of their front foot?

the fracture causes radial n. damage that prevents proper function of the extensor muscles

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What are the treatment options for humerus fracture?

-stall rest
-open reduction and internal fixation
-culling if damage is too severe/cannot be fixed

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What are the characteristics of ORIF for humerus fractures?

-requires double plates in heavier animals (older than 6 to 8 mo.)
-can use intramedullary pins in younger, lighter animals

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What are the characteristics of femur fractures in bovine?

typically seen in neonates after a dystocia with backward presentation

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What are the differentials for upper hind limb lameness?

-diaphyseal or capital physeal fracture
-septic hip joint
-hip luxation

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Why do femur fractures often have significant displacement?

due to the high muscle volume surrounding the bone

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Why can stall rest not be a treatment option for femur fractures?

the bone cannot heal due to the amount of displacement

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What are the ORIF options for the femur?

-stack pinning with cerclage
-intramedullary interlocking nail

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What are the possible complications of ORIF for the femur?

-infection
-implant failure
-migration

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What is the prognosis for femur fractures treated with ORIF?

fair; about 65-75% recover

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What are the characteristics of elbow luxation?

-very rare
-typically traumatic
-unknown etiology

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What are the steps to closed reduction for elbow luxations?

maximal flexion of elbow and carpus
internal rotation of forearm via lateral pressure on metacarpal bone
strong pressure on laterally luxated radial head

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What are the characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis of the elbow joint?

-rare
-typically hematogenous in cause
-treated with lavage, antimicrobials, and pain management

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Why is ultrasound often used for more proximal imaging of the limbs in bovine?

the conformation of the skin and musculature makes it difficult to take x-rays of the more proximal structures

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What are the characteristics of osteochondritis dissecans in the front limb?

-rare
-seen in fast growing animals
-congenital
-treatment via arthroscopy
-ddx is septic arthritis; should tap the joint

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What are the treatment options for septic physitis?

-surgical debridement
-local or systemic antibiotics
-pain medication
-culling if more severe case

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What is a hygroma?

false bursa in front of a joint that fills with fluid

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What is the purpose of hygroma removal?

typically cosmetic; functional if really bothering the animal

What can cause stifle-related lameness?

-septic arthritis
-cranial cruciate ligament rupture/tear
-OCD
-luxation of patella
-upward fixation of patella

What is the etiology of CCL rupture?

-older animal
-chronic alteration of CCL
-possible associated meniscus tear

What is the typical presentation of CCL rupture?

acute-on-chronic; acute lameness due to chronic inflammation

How is CCL rupture diagnosed?

-palpation of swelling and attempted cranial drawer test
-radiographs
-ultrasound; hypoechoic fluid around joint

What is the main differential diagnosis for CCL rupture?

fracture

What are the treatment options for CCL rupture?

-confinement and pain management (bandaid solution) -surgical repair

What are the surgical techniques for CCL rupture repair?

-stifle joint imbrication -gluteobiceps graft -synthetic graft

What are the characteristics of CCL rupture repair post-op?

-must confine animal and provide good pain management -animal has a 45-50% chance of recovery (guarded) -maximally invasive procedure; high risk of complication

What are the main complications that occur in CCL rupture repair surgeries?

-implant failure -surgical site infection

What are the characteristics of patellar luxation?

-rare -seen in young calves -possibly associated with femoral nerve paralysis after dystocia

What is the clinical presentation of patellar luxation?

-animal unable to bear weight on affected limb -patella seen in a luxated position on rads

Why are patellar luxations always lateral in bovine?

the lateral sheath of the quad muscle is not affected by the femoral n. paralysis and continues to pull laterally on the patella

What are the patellar luxation classifications?

type 1: intermittent patellar luxation; easily luxates manually and returns to trochlea when released type 2: occasional patellar luxation; associated with crouch position; easily luxated manually but does not readily return to normal position type 3: permanent luxation; calf is unable to extend stifle; patella can be repositioned but does not stay in place when joint is flexed type 4: permanent luxation; cannot be repositioned; trochlear groove flat or absent

Which grades of patellar luxation can potentially be treated through conservative management?

grades 1 and 2

What are the surgical repair options for grade 3 and 4 patellar luxations?

-prosthesis on medial aspect of limb to maintain patella in place -imbrication of joint on medial aspect -sulcoplasty

What is the prognosis for patellar luxation?

guarded

What occurs in upward fixation of the patella?

-leg is locked in extension -patella is stuck on medial trochlear groove -animal will drag leg due to a lack of flexion

What are the characteristics of stifle OCD?

-rare -congenital -seen in fast growing animals -treated via arthroscopy

What can cause hip lameness?

-coxofemoral luxation/downer cow syndrome -septic arthritis

What are the Ms of downer cow syndrome?

*metabolic -hypocalcemia -hypokalemia -hypomagnesemia *metritis *mastitis *musculoskeletal -neurologic -coxofemoral luxation -ruptured peroneus tertius -ruptured gastrocnemius

What is the etiology of coxofemoral luxation?

-immediate post-partum period -dystocia causes obturator paralysis -slippy floor -hypocalcemia -weakness -multiple attempts to stand

How can a coxofemoral luxation be palpated?

with animal on side with affected hip up, place hands on greater trochanter while some abducts and circumducts leg

Why is ventral coxofemoral luxation associated with the worst prognosis?

this direction of displacement can affect the obturator nerve

What are the potential treatment options for coxofemoral luxation?

-none/cull animal -closed reduction and ehmer sling -FHO

What is the prognosis for coxofemoral luxation?

guarded to poor

What are the characteristics of ruptured peroneus tertius?

-can be congenital or associated with trauma -potential consequence of full limb casts on hind legs -will see flexion of stifle with extension of hock

What are the characteristics of ruptured peroneus tertius treatment?

-confinement and thomas splint -guarded prognosis

What are the characteristics of ruptured gastrocnemius muscle?

-typically a death sentence; muscle is very large and cannot be repaired -only treatment option is to thomas splint for 3 to 4 weeks in hopes of muscle fibrosis; not very likely to work