Chronic Forelimb Lameness Research Articles

Chronic forelimb lameness in a 14-month-old male Saint Bernard.

Chronic forelimb lameness in a 14-month-old male Saint Bernard.

Sesamoid disease in two dogs

Two young dogs, a Rottweiler and an Épagneul Breton, presented with chronic forelimb lameness. Orthopaedic examination confirmed the mild lameness and revealed pain on deep palpation at the palmar aspect of the 5th metacarpal. Radiographic evaluation revealed fracture of the 7th metacarpophalangeal sesamoid at the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint. Based on these findings, diagnosis of sesamoid disease was achieved. Both cases had been treated conservatively with restricted activity and anti-inflammatory drugs without any success. Then, resection of the affected sesamoid was performed. The outcome was good and the dogs were free of lameness 1 year post-operatively.

Adhesive Capsulitis in Eight Dogs: Diagnosis and Management.

To describe clinical and diagnostic findings as well as management of adhesive capsulitis in dogs. Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a syndrome defined by loss of range of motion of the shoulder and may be the end-stage manifestation of several primary conditions. This is a case series report of eight dogs with chronic forelimb lameness diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis. Medical records (June 1, 2010-September 1, 2015) including, physical examination findings, radiographic findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, arthroscopy findings, and treatment plans were reviewed. All dogs presented with a chronic, grade III-VI/VI forelimb lameness. On orthopedic examination, all dogs had moderate to significant discomfort on shoulder extension and flexion and severe restriction of range of motion. Six of the eight dogs had evidence of bone remodeling and sclerosis in the affected shoulder on radiographs. Six of the dogs had an initial diagnostic ultrasound performed, which revealed evidence of fibrous scar tissue. Five dogs had MRI performed that revealed moderate shoulder effusion and enhancement of the synovial lining of the shoulder. Arthroscopy was performed in five of the eight patients. Three were noted to have significant contracture, adhesions, and fibrous scar tissue of the joint capsule. Severe inflammation was noted throughout the synovium of two patients. All eight patients tried conservative management consisting of oral medications and rehabilitation therapy. Five of the eight patients received extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Three patients received regenerative medicine treatment in the affected supraspinatus and shoulder. Regardless of the treatment elected, none of the dogs were reported to have significant improvement. Adhesive capsulitis is an uncommon cause of chronic forelimb lameness. Further investigation is needed to describe the etiology and pathogenesis of adhesive capsulitis in dogs to evaluate the effectiveness of both non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities, establish treatment protocols, and evaluate short- and long-term clinical outcome of patients. Adhesive capsulitis should be considered in patients with chronic forelimb lameness and moderate to significant discomfort and restriction on shoulder range of motion.

Current concepts of navicular syndrome: diagnosis and treatment

Navicular syndrome is a complex of degenerative processes arising from many types of injury to structures in the heel area of the foot. Although classically presenting as a chronic forelimb...

Computed Tomographic Features of Incomplete Ossification of the Canine Humeral Condyle

To describe computed tomographic (CT) features of canine elbows with incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) and investigate co-existing incongruence in the elbow joint. Case control study. Dogs with IOHC (n=20; 38 elbows) and 25 normal elbows. Elbows with IOHC and normal elbows were assessed by CT. Standardized dorsal and sagittal reconstructions were created at 3 levels using image analysis software to obtain single measurements of the humero-radial and humero-ulnar joint spaces. On dorsal plane reconstructions, joint space measurements were obtained at the center point of the humero-radial and humero-ulnar articulations. Joint incongruity was defined as the difference between the humero-radial and the humero-ulnar joint spaces. Nineteen dogs (95%), all Spaniel breeds, had either bilateral IOHC demonstrable as a saw-toothed intercondylar complete or incomplete hypoattenuating defect with hyperattenuating margins, or IOHC with contralateral humeral condylar fracture (HCF). Joint incongruity values for IOHC were compared with those of normal elbows. Significant differences were noted at the levels of the medial coronoid apex (P<.0001) and base (P<.004) indicative of humero-ulnar incongruence. Evidence of medial coronoid disease in 10 elbows (26%) and degenerative joint disease in 30 elbows (79%) was also found. Presence of elbow incongruence may be an underlying factor in failure of ossification centers to fuse leading to IOHC. IOHC is clearly defined by CT, and it should be considered in larger Spaniel breeds, with a chronic forelimb lameness or HCF.

Effects of electrostimulated acupuncture on ground reaction forces and pain scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint arthritis

To determine whether use of electrostimuluated acupuncture (ESA) would result in significant improvements in ground reaction forces and lameness scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia. Randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial. 9 dogs with chronic forelimb lameness and radiographic evidence of elbow joint osteoarthritis. All dogs had a 3-week control acclimation period during which gait analysis was performed weekly. Dogs then received ESA once weekly for 3 weeks followed by a sham treatment once weekly for 3 weeks or received the sham treatment followed by ESA. Gait analysis was repeated prior to each treatment, and owners were asked to provide pain scores by use of a visual analog scale method. Treatment (control, acupuncture, or sham) did not have a significant effect on ground reaction forces for any limb. Owners of 8 of the 9 dogs were able to correctly guess the time period when ESA was delivered. Results suggested that ESA did not have any significant effects on severity of lameness, as determined by measurement of ground reaction forces, or severity of pain, as determined by visual analog scale pain scores, in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia.

Evaluation of the analgesic effects of phenylbutazone administered at a high or low dosage in horses with chronic lameness

To compare analgesic effects of phenylbutazone administered at a dosage of 4.4 mg/kg/d (2 mg/lb/d) or 8.8 mg/kg/d (4 mg/lb/d) in horses with chronic lameness. Controlled crossover study. Animals-9 horses with chronic forelimb lameness. Horses were treated i.v. with phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg/d or 8.8 mg/kg/d) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution once daily for 4 days. All horses received all 3 treatments with a minimum of 14 days between treatments. Mean peak vertical force (mPVF) was measured and clinical lameness scores were assigned before initiation of each treatment and 6, 12, and 24 hours after the final dose for each treatment. Compared with values obtained after administration of saline solution, mPVF was significantly increased at all posttreatment evaluation times when phenylbutazone was administered. Clinical lameness scores were significantly decreased 6 and 12 hours after administration of the final dose when phenylbutazone was administered at the low or high dosage but were significantly decreased 24 hours after treatment only when phenylbutazone was administered at the high dosage. No significant differences in mPVF and clinical lameness scores were found at any time when phenylbutazone was administered at the low versus high dosage. Results suggest that the high dosage of phenylbutazone was not associated with greater analgesic effects, in terms of mPVF or lameness score, than was the low dosage. Considering that toxicity of phenylbutazone is related to dosage, the higher dosage may not be beneficial in chronically lame horses.

Localized histiocytic sarcoma in a dog: an uncommon diagnosis in forelimb lameness

SummaryThe clinical, ultrasonographic, arthrographic and histopathological aspects of a localized histiocytic sarcoma in the tendon sheath of the biceps brachii muscle in a Flat-Coated Retriever are described. An eight-year-old female Flat-Coated Retriever was referred for evaluation of chronic forelimb lameness. The orthopaedic examination revealed a painful shoulder joint. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed distention of the tendon sheath of the biceps brachii muscle and the presence of multiple, hyperechoic structures in the distal portion of the sheath. The histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of a biopsy taken during surgical exploration of the shoulder joint was histiocytic sarcoma. Palliative treatment with corticosteroids was administered but the dog was euthanized at the owner’s request four months following diagnosis due to progressing lameness. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma without any evidence of metastases.

Laminar corial hypereasthesia in chronic forelimb lameness

Summary Five cases of chronic forelimb lameness were investigated. In each case, repeated routine lameness assessments had failed to determine the underlying cause. Spinal examinations along with assessments of digital laminar sensitivity were performed. All horses were then treated twice using the procedure Cervical Vertebral Mobilization Under Anesthetic (CVMUA). Spinal pain and mobility, along with laminar sensitivity and lameness, were intermittently assessed following treatment. Reduction and then elimination of overt lameness in all cases, suggested a link between cervico-spinal pain, reduced spinal mobility and lameness resulting from digital corial hyperaesthesia.

Mineralized Osteochondritis Dissecans Cartilage Flap Mimicking Supraspinatus Tendon Mineralization

SummaryA four-year-old Labrador-mix dog had chronic forelimb lameness due to a mineralized osteochondritis dissecans cartilage flap that was adherent to the synovial membrane, deep to the supraspinatus tendon. This seems to be an unusual site for the lodgment of migrating flaps; most have been found in the caudal compartment of the shoulder joint or in the bicipital tendon sheath. Radiographically, the mineralized flap was indistinguishable from supraspinatus tendon mineralization, which is another cause of chronic lameness in adult large breed dogs.Mineralized cartilage within the shoulder was radiographi-cally indistinguishable from supraspinatus mineralization and caused chronic lameness.