Upper Leg Lameness

upper leg lameness is more common in

beef cattle

where in upper leg is commonly lame in cattle

stifle

what can happen in the stifle

cranial cruciate ligament lesions

associated with falling, slipping, and/or mounting

what are clinical signs of cranial cruciate ligament lesions

joint effusion/swelling, pain, crepitus

positive cranial drawer test

clicking sound

what causes arthrogryposis

genetics (angus, charolois, Holstein)

something toxic in utero

dam with viral disease (BVD, Bluetongue, etc)

what is arthrogryposis

congenital limb contracture

what is crooked calf syndrome

lupine induced arthrogryposis

induces fetal sedation so growth is deformed

what is chondrodysplasia

genetic disorder affecting cartilage development, results in dwarfism

can be caused by manganese deficiency

what causes contracted tendons

inherited factors

in utero malpositioning

contracted tendons is

common congenital problem in cattle

usually at carpus or fetlock

how to treat mild to moderate contracted tendons

PT

manual stretching

how to treat moderate contracted tendons

bandage, splint, cast

analgesia

how to treat severe contracted tendons

surgery (tenotomy)

what are hygromas

localized swelling of tissue

capsule filled with fluid surrounded by layer of fibrous tissues

what causes hygromas

intermittent trauma

lack of bedding

what causes osteochondrosis

blood supply failure → focal ischemia → subchondral bone cyst

what is ostochondrosis

affects metaphyseal growth plate and immature joint cartilage

affects beef breeds and young bulls

what are clinical signs of osteochondrosis

joint effusion

shifting weight lameness, pain at joint flexion

subchondral bone defect, cyst like lesions, and loose bone fragments on radiograph

osteochondrosis often progresses to

OCD and osteoarthritis

how is osteochondrosis treated

surgical debridement of lesion

what is upward patellar fixation

patella fixed on proximal aspect of medial trochlear ridge of femur

hind limb forced to remain rigidly extended

upward patellar fixation is more common in

horses

brahman cattle

how is upward patellar fixation treated

medial patellar desmotomy

what can cause gastrocnemius tear

intense struggling to stand

underlying selenium deficiency

usually tears at muscle/ tendon junction

what are clinical signs of gastrocnemius tear

dropped, severely flexed hock joint

hoc touches ground when attempt to stand

usually unilateral

how is gastrocnemius tear treated

provide support if standing

guarded prognosis is tear at muscle belly or complete transection of tendon

what is the function of peronius tertius

hock flexion and tarsal flexion

what causes peronius tertius tear/ rupture

excessive effort trying to rise on slippery surface

trauma with hyperextension of limb

mounting/ being mounted

what are clinical signs of peronius tertius tear/rupture

toe touching lame but not painful

inability to flex hock

limb pulled backward with little effort

what is elso heel (soastic paresis)

heritable neuromuscular disease in cattle

causes severe, spastic contraction of hind leg muscles

leads to permanently straight, overextended hind leg

what are clinical signs of elso heel

starts between 2-10 months of age

stiff pendulous leg

one or two limbs affected

gastrocnemius hard and rigid

how is elso heel treated

salvage

tenotomy of gastrocnemius and ½ of SDFT

tibial neurectomy

what is a common and serious cause of stifle lameness

cranial cruciate rupture/ tear

what causes CCL rupture

trauma (falling, poor footing)

secondary to DJD

post legged conformation (too straight at stifle)

what are clinical signs of CCL rupture/tear

very lame

outward rotation of leg

stifle joint effusion

clicking sound at walk or manipulation

how to treat CCL rupture/ tear

stall rest

NSAIDs

surgical repair by extracapsular imbrication and ligament replacement

if no treatment, poor prognosis

what is coxofemoral luxation

head of femur slips out of pelvic socket

what is a common orthopedic injury in cattle that is more prevalent in dairy

coxofemoral luxation

what direction luxation is most common for coxofemoral

craniodorsal

what causes coxofemoral luxation

trauma

periparturient hypocalcemia and dystocia trauma

what contributed to coxofemoral joint stability

joint capsule

femoral head ligament

gluteal muscles

deep hip muscles

what are clinical signs of coxofemoral luxation

NWB lameness

sudden onset

shortening of limb, dropped hip

crepitus on manipulation

how is coxofemoral luxation diagnosed

abduct leg while palpating

severe gluteal swelling

rectal palpation

how is coxofemoral luxation treated

closed reduction- difficult and high recurrence

open reduction (expensive)

FHO (expensive)

what causes spinal fractures/ compression

dystocia, falling, slipping

spinal abscess

lymphoma (BLV)

what are clinical signs of spinal fractures/ compression

downer

sitting dog

how to treat spinal fractures/ compression

supportive care and NSAIDs

what is obturator paralysis/ down cows

syndrome with variety of causes

unable to rise, primarily in hind end

more common in females

what can cause obturator paralysis in dairy cows

hypocalcemia***

accidents

dystocia

what can cause obturator paralysis in beef cattle

dystocia***

metabolic conditions with Ca and Mg

what causes obturator paralysis in small ruminants

hypocalcemia

ketosis

dystocia

what are the stages of obturator paralysis

inciting event

recumbency

further injuries from death of struggling

with downer cows

immediately determine if euthanize or receive additional care

what to remember when working with downer cow

no dragging

no lifting with chains

provide feed and water where they are

when to euthanize down cattle within 24-36 hours

unable to sit up unaided

refuse to drink or eat

no method to physically manage them

what PT/ support to give to downer cow

place in well bedded area

provide good footing

rolling, slings, hobbles

what is nutritional mypopathy

white muscle disease, stiff lamb disease

acute to subacute myodegeneration of cardiac and/or skeletal muscle

what can cause nutritional myopathy

dietary deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E

what are clinical signs of severe selenium deficiency

white muscle disease

muscle stiffness

sudden death due to cardiac failure with no signs of sickness

what are signs are marginal selenium deficiency

abortions, retained placentas

reduced fertility

weak, stillborn, lethargic neonates

reduced growth rate and immune response

what is seen in WMD cardiac form

exercise associated, acute respiratory distress

pulmonary edema with pink foam

weakness, irregular HB

concurrent skeletal form

what is seen in skeletal form of WMD

stiff gait, bunny hopping

difficulty standing, muscles hard

dyspnea

lesions are symmetrical!!

weak calves at birth

how is WMD treated

supportive care and rest

prevent secondary infections

vitamin E (no toxicity) and selenium (toxicity)

how to prevent WMD

provide selenium!