VET 126 - Musculoskeletal Diseases (incomplete)

Arthrodesis

Arthroplasty

Cancellous

Cholinergic

Congenital

Crepitus

Cruciate ligaments

Diaphysis

Endochondral

Epiphysis

Luxation

Myopathy

Myositis

Neuromuscular junction

Osteotomy

Panosteitis

Sarcomere

Endochondral ossification

Osteoblasts

Osteoclasts

Osteocytes

Ossification

Intramembranous ossification

Neuromuscular junction

Compound fracture

Closed fracture

Complete fracture

Incomplete fracture

Simple fracture

Comminuted fracture

Linear fracture

Aka fissure fracture …

Greenstick fracture

Transverse fracture

Oblique fracture

External coaptation

Internal coaptation

Arthrocentesis

Arthroscopy

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO)

Total hip replacement (THR)

Femoral head osteotomy (FHO)

DEFINITIONS ^^^

QUESTIONS vvv

What things can cause issues with the musculoskeletal system?

Trauma, degenerative diseases, inflammation, poor conformation, & neoplasia

What are musculoskeletal disorders often associated with?

Pain, limited mobility, & can be seen with the bones, joints, or muscles

How hard is bone?

Hardest living tissue & second hardest substance in the body

What are some functions of the skeletal system?

Capable of repair after injury, protects internal organs, & is the main storage area for calcium & other minerals

In regards to storage of minerals, what happens when bone is damaged?

Storage capacity & ability decrease

What is an important medical purpose of long bones?

They are the prime area for collection of bone marrow samples

How does long bone growth begin as in fetal stages of development?

Cartilage

What process does long bone harden through & when does it begin?

Endochondral ossification as the body develops after birith

Clinical signs of bone fractures

Very painful, which can present as whining or other vocalizations, aggression, & inability to get comfortable

Lameness, possibly non-weight bearing, inflammation, loss of function, crepitus, or change in limb formation

Open fractures will have bone sticking out the skin

Bone fracture diagnosis

Presenting clinical signs, history, history of trauma

Crepitus upon palpation

Radiographs: useful for fracture visualization & classification

Bone fracture treatment

External coaptation, internal coaptation, or external fixators

Bone grafts, antibiotics (especially open fractures and/or surgical repair), and/or analgesics

Possibly physical therapy & rehab to help regain proper function & muscle strength

Client education & tech tips for bone fractures

Restricted activity, which can take weeks to months

Watch for & immediately report any drainage, swelling, or heat in the affected limb

Report change in limb usage, since plates are pins may re-fracture the bone

…

…

Cruciate ligament injury

One of the most common reasons for hind limb lameness

…

…

What is one of the most common reasons for hind limb lameness?

Cruciate ligament injury

Causes of cruciate ligament injury

Secondary conditions caused by cruciate ligament injury

Cruciate ligament signs

Cruciate ligament diagnosis

Cruciate ligament injury treatment

Medical = weight loss & management, physical therapy, cage rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, & joint supplements

Surgical = TPLO & TTA

Stabilization

Suturing

Cruciate ligament client education

Patellar luxation

Movement of the patella from the femoral (aka trochlear) groove, can be medially, laterally, unilateral, or bilateral

Often associated with other joint or bone disorders or limb deformities

Can lead to osteoarthritis & long-term joint damage

What is the most common stifle disorder in dogs?

Patellar luxation

Which breeds are more predisposed to patellar luxation?

Toy & small breeds, such as poodles & chihuahuas

What variables can cause patellar luxation?

Genetic predisposition & trauma

Patellar luxation clinical signs

Skipping lameness and/or non-weight bearing, abnormal gait or conformation such as bowlegged (aka medial luxation) or knock-kneed (aka lateral luxation), & pain at time of injury

When do hereditary luxation disorders usually begin to show clinical signs?

The first few months of life, but may still develop later in life

Skipping lameness

Sign of patellar luxation where the affected limb will be held out behind them, may possibly shake it, & may not bear weight

When do animals show signs of pain with patellar luxation?

Painful at time of luxation, but typically not afterwards

Patellar luxation diagnosis

Stifle will feel unstable upon palpation

Radiographs to determine the degree of the disorder & limb changes, graded upon severity

Patellar luxation treatment

Surgical orthopedic or soft tissue corrections

Soft tissue = patella surgically fixed in place by tightening ligament opposite of luxation & loosing the other side

Orthopedic = deepen femoral (aka trochlear) groove, transpose tibial crest, correct abnormal femur, or severe cases may require arthrodesis, tibial osteotomy, or amputation

Patellar luxation education & other info

Affected animals should not be bred

Problems may reoccur after surgery, but severity is often less than prior to surgery

Recovery requires exercise restrictions & limited activity

Hip dysplasia

Abnormal development of the coxofemoral joint (aka hip joint), commonly hereditary

Joint laxity leads to degenerative joint disease

What breeds are commonly predisposed to hip dysplasia?

Large & giant breeds

What nutritional factor may cause hip dysplasia to develop?

Extra nutrients in the diet linked to excessive & rapid development & bone growth

What can you do to help limit risk developing or worsening hip dysplasia in large or giant breed puppies?

Feed a diet scientifically formulated for large & giant breed puppies

Hip dysplasia clinical signs

Vary in degree of severity & will worsen after strenuous exercise

Lameness, a “bunny hop” altered gait where the hind legs move together, reduced range of motion, pain, decreased activity, crepitus

Difficulty getting up, running, jumping, using stairs

& muscle atrophy in hind limbs

Hip dysplasia diagnosis

Presenting signs, patient history, physical exam, & radiographs

What will provide a definitive diagnosis of hip dysplasia?

Radiographs

How should radiographs to identify or certify hip dysplasia be taken?

Based on protocols set forth by the OFA, Penn HIP, and/or DLS

What groups provide protocols for hip dysplasia radiography?

Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA), the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (Penn HIP), & Cornell’s dorsolateral subluxation (DSL) test

When can an animal be certified against hip dystplasia?

At least 2 years old

Hip dysplasia treatment

Weight loss & management, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs & analgesics, NSAID or steroid therapy, limit exercise but maintain mild exercise routine, avoid slippery surfaces, or surgery

Surgery = triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO), total hip replacement (THR), femoral hip osteotomy (FHO), or pectineal myotenectomy

What is probably the most common surgical treatment for hip dysplasia?

Femoral head osteotomy (FHO)

Hip dysplasia client education & other info

Mostly unpreventable, but may be managed by watching their weight & slowing growth by limiting nutrients

There are several organizations & programs, grading systems, & radiographic techniques for canine hips & hip dysplasia

Affected animals should not be bred