6 Bovine Upper Leg Lameness

Beef

Upper leg lameness is more common in beef or dairy cattle

Culling/Euthanasia

What is the most commonly considered treatment for true upper leg lameness in cattle?

Stifle (CCL lesions are common)

What joint is the most common cause of upper leg lameness in cattle?

Lower limb lameness

What similar problem do you need to rule out for cattle before jumping to upper limb lameness?

Arthrogryposis

The term "gryposis" means abnormal bending or curvature

This is congenital limb contracture with a poor prognosis. Manifests Genetically as curly calf syndrome (angus), spinal dysraphism (charolaise), and vertebral manifestation (holstein) OR in utero thru viral infection

Septic arthritis

This is more common in neonates, where affected joints (often hock, stifle, and carpus) are warm, swollen and painful. Synovial fluid will have increased leukocyte count. Prognosis gets worse the more joints are affected --> joint lavage, regional limb perfusion

Contracted tendons

This is a common congenital problem in cattle, usually at the carpus or fetlock. May be able to do physical therapy, manual stretching, or therapy. Caused by in utero malposition

Hygroma

This is localized swelling of tissue, where the capsule is filled with fluid surrounded by a layer of fibrous tissue caused by intermittent trauma (like lack of bedding) --> surgical excision

Osteochondrosis

This problem occurs with blood supply failure leading to focal ischemia and subchondral bone cysts. Metaphyseal growth plate and immature joint cartilage is affected in hock, stifle, and atlanto-occipital joints. Chronic lameness that worsens overtime

Bilateral

It is more common that osteochondrosis is unilateral or bilateral

Upward patellar fixation

This occurs when the patella becomes fixed on the proximal aspect of the medial trochlear ridge of the femur (though more common in horses). Limb is locked in extension intermittently

Upward patellar fixation

What is happening here?

Brahman cattle and working cattle

What types of cattle is upward patellar fixation common in?

3: medial, middle, and lateral

How many patellar ligaments do cattle have? What are they?

Medial patellar desmotomy (ligament cutting) or vastus medialis tenotomy

(in horses-i think it applies to cows-this is the problem where you also back them up to engage the quadriceps mechanism)

How can you treat upward patellar fixation?

Gastrocnemius tear

DIFFERENTIALS: tibial nerve paralysis

This muscle originates from the caudal femoral surface and inserts just dorsal to the point of the hock by 2 strong tendons. What has happened with this muscle if the animal is unable to rise, with the hock touching the ground when they attempt to stand? What are some differentials?

Peronius tertius tear or rupture

This muscle is responsible for hock flexion and tarsal flexion. If a cow is toe touching lame but not painful, has an inability to flex the hock, and the limb can be pulled backward with little effort, what has happened?

Elso Heel or Spastic paresis

This is a progressive condition in cattle with overextension of pelvis limbs (contraction of gastrocnemius). Cow has a stiff pendulous limb and a hard, rigid gastrocnemius muscle. GENETIC CONDITION starts young at 2-10 months of age

Cranial cruciate rupture/tear

This structure limits cranial tibial displacement and prevents internal rotation. So, if a cow has marked lameness, outward rotation of the leg, stifle joint effusion, and clunk sound at walk, what has happened?

Cranial cruciate rupture

What is one of the most common causes of stifle associated lameness in cattle?

Trauma or secondary to DJD

How can cows get cranial cruciate rupture?

Physical exam, rule out distal limb lameness, cranial drawer, clicking sound when walking or standing, x-rays

How can you diagnose cranial cruciate rupture in cattle?

Surgical repair (extracapsular imbrication and ligament replacement) and NSAIDs

What is the only way to treat cranial cruciate rupture in cattle?

Craniodorsal luxation

What is the most common coxofemoral luxation in cows?

Dairy cattle (even more common in cows than horses)

Describe the type of cow coxofemoral luxation is more common in

TRAUMA or PARTURITION (hypocalcemia)

What typically causes coxofemoral luxation in cattle?

Coxofemoral luxation

This problem may be caused by joint instability in the joint capsule, femoral head ligament, or gluteal muscles and deep hip muscles in cattle

Abduct leg while palpating hip for crepitus, see if greater range of motion of proximal femur during abduction (ventral luxation)

Diagnose with severe gluteal swelling, rectal palpation, and x-ray

How can you assess coxofemoral luxation?

Coxofemoral luxation

(greater trochanter is femur)

A cow is suddenly non weight bearing lame this morning. You see there is asymmetry of the greater trochanters, shortening of the limb, and increased laxity of the hip joint upon palpation. What has likely happened?

Closed reduction in first 48 hours + hobbles (recurrence rate is high), open reduction or femoral head ostectomy

How can you treat coxofemoral luxation in cattle?

Spinal fracture, spinal tumor, spinal abscess, lymphoma

Prognosis is poor (esp. for spinal fracture)

A cow is down, dog sitting, and does not have any rear leg sensation upon your physical exam. What are some differential diagnosis?

Chondrodysplasia

This heritable disorder in cattle is most notable in recessive homozygous "bulldog calves"

Cranial Cruciate rupture/tear

What is this?

Elso heel (spastic paresis)

What is this?

Peronius Tertius tear/rupture

What is this?

Gastrocnemius tear

What is this?

osteochondrosis

What is this?

hygroma

What is this?

Septic Arthritis

What is this?

Arthrogryposis

What is this?

arthrogryposis

What is this?