Lameness in Ruminants

Functional Anatomy
- Understanding the functioning of the bilateral reciprocal apparatus in cattle.
Key Muscles Involved
- Fibularis (peroneus) tertius muscle.
- Gastrocnemius muscle.
Conditions to Recognize, Diagnose, Treat, and Prognose
- Gastrocnemius rupture.
- Rupture of the fibularis (peroneus) tertius.
- Common joint luxations in cattle.
- Femoral nerve paralysis and lateral patellar luxation.
- Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament of the stifle.
- Upward fixation of the patella.
- Spastic paresis, also known as “Elso heel.”

Suprascapular Nerve Injury
- Atrophy of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
- Inability to extend shoulder and abduct the limb.
- Lower limb reflexes/sensation intact.
Proximal Radial Nerve Injury
- Dropped elbow and inability to extend elbow and lower leg.
- Leg in flexed position with loss of skin sensation lateral and dorsal on lower limb.
Distal Radial Nerve Injury
- Normal position of elbow.
- Inability to extend lower leg with loss of skin sensation lateral and dorsal on lower limb.
Bicipital Bursitis
- Decreased flexion of elbow, shortened stride, increased fluid in bursa on ultrasound.
Carpal Flexor Deformities
- Walking on toes and knuckles forward, unable to straighten the leg or bear weight.
Septic Arthritis
- Joint swollen, hot, painful; effusion on palpation; ultrasound shows high white cell count and predominance of neutrophils or bacteria.

Clinical Signs
- Stumbling and inability to support weight.
- Inability to extend and straighten the shoulder joint.
- Shortened stride and abduction of the leg.
Prognosis
- Generally favorable, depending on cause.
Treatment
- Rest and anti-inflammatories.

Anatomy of Nerve
- Arise from the brachial plexus (C7, C8, & T1); innervates extensor muscles of carpus and digits.
Causes of Damage
- Occurs at the level of the brachial plexus, often due to mechanistic injuries from standing up type chutes.
Clinical Signs
- Bilateral: animal cannot stand.
- Unilateral: severe cases render the animal down; less severe causes dropped elbow, advanced limb dragging.
Treatment
- Rest in well-bedded stall; skin protection via bandaging or casting; anti-inflammatories.
- Poor prognosis if condition persists for ≥2 weeks.

Causes
- Pressure injury as the nerve crosses the lateral surface of the humerus.
Clinical Signs
- Unaffected triceps keep elbow in a normal position, able to bear weight under the right conditions.
- Paresis of carpus and fetlock, unable to advance limb.
Prognosis
- Favorable with rapid improvement.

Stages of Severity
- Mild: walking on feet but heels do not contact the ground.
- Moderate: dorsal aspect of the hoof breaks over vertical plane.
- Severe: forced to walk on dorsal aspect of pastern, fetlock or carpus.
Treatment
- Mild-to-moderate cases respond to physical therapy.
- Moderate: treated with a bandage, splint, or cast and NSAIDs; oxytetracycline IV at 44 mg/kg.
- Severe: may require surgery.

Hip Joint Dislocation
- Asymmetry in hips, crepitation, radiographs reveal leg shorter with a higher hock compared to the opposite leg.
Stifle Injuries
- Increased laxity and audible noise during movement.
- Extension causing limb locking, exaggerated motion during flexion.
Peroneus Tertius Rupture
- Abnormally extended hock when the stifle is flexed, swelling above tibia.
Tibial Neuropathy
- Dropped hock, partial flexion of fetlock, sensory loss behind hock.
Prognosis
- Varies based on specific conditions with some showing favorable recovery.

Most common presentation is cranio-dorsal dislocation.
Clinical Signs
- Ambulatory with grade 4–5 lameness, affected limb shorter with outward rotation.
Treatment
- Non-surgical approach preferred within 6-12 hours; watch for re-luxation.

Mechanism of Injury
- Caused by abduction and rotation of the hind leg.
Clinical Signs
- Effusion and laxity with anterior cruciate or medial collateral ruptures.
Treatment
- Stall rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, cartilage protection (e.g., polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), possible surgical correction.

Mechanism involves the stifle extension during early stride phase.
Treatment
- Medical intervention includes desmotomy of medial patella ligament.

Clinical Signs
- Characterized by hock extension when the stifle is flexed (pathognomonic) with swelling.
Causes
- Slipping while mounting or incidents causing significant stress on the limb.

Clinical Signs and Management
- Peroneal: fetlock knuckling, hock extension, decreased sensation.
- Tibial: dropped hock, partial flexion, loss of caudal skin sensation.
Treatment Strategies
- Involves steroids, anti-inflammatories, and potentially surgical intervention.

Clinical Signs
- Extended stifle and flexed hock; unable to bear weight with resting on tuber calcaneus.
Management
- May involve rest or surgical procedures for tendon reattachment.

Associated with calving injury; loss of adductor muscle function leading to a wide-based stance and inability to adduct hindlegs.
Treatment
- Hobbles for stabilization.

A progressive neuromuscular condition affecting hindlimbs, often seen in young cattle.
Clinical Signs
- Progression from stiffness to severe overextension of hock.
Treatment Options
- Options include tenotomy of the gastrocnemius or tibial neurectomy, both with varying prognoses.

Complaint: Initial observations from clients.
History: Previous medical records and recent changes.
Clinical Examination: Thorough physical and possibly neurological assessments.
Differential Diagnoses: Broadening potential causes based on findings.
Diagnostic Plan: Imaging and laboratory testing sequences.
Diagnosis: Confirmatory findings will guide treatment.
Treatment: Based on diagnosis, tailored approaches.

Understanding musculoskeletal lameness in cattle requires a multifaceted approach including recognition of clinical signs, diagnostic techniques, and appropriate treatment options.
Combining anatomical knowledge with practical management ensures better outcomes for affected animals.