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Objective: To compare the stability, ultimate strength, and isometry of 4 prosthetic ligament repairs for canine tarsal medial collateral ligament injury., Methods: 24 cadaveric canine distal hind limbs with induced medial tarsal instability were randomly divided into 4 groups. Simulated medial shearing injury of the collateral and medial malleolus were repaired using 1 of 4 isometric suture techniques: bone tunnels with nylon suture (TN), ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) suture (TU), tibial bone anchor with nylon suture (AN), or talar bone anchor with UHMWPE suture (AU). Each repair was evaluated for medial stability before and after cyclic range of motion. 3 of 4 repair configurations allowed string potentiometer isometry data collection during cyclic range of motion. Each construct was subsequently tested to failure; the strength and failure mode were recorded., Results: All repair groups showed statistically increased laxity compared to intact ligament. There was no difference in joint laxity between repair techniques. Cyclic range-of-motion testing did not increase joint laxity at any tested joint angle. Strength to failure was no different between repair groups. Isometry was achieved in the TU and TN groups., Conclusions: All 4 techniques improved medial stability compared to that medial collateral ligament injury; however, no technique returned stability to the tarsal of the intact ligament. All 4 techniques maintained stability after range-of-motion testing. Isometric placement of the prosthetic suture was achievable. The constructs did not provide sufficient resistance to physiologic valgus stress., Clinical Relevance: Isometric placement of a prosthetic ligament is possible; secondary stabilization appears necessary to support the repair postoperatively.

Design of cubicles and self-locking barriers can affect cow skin alterations, lameness, and dirtiness. We investigated whether the International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR, Gainesville, FL)-recommended cattle housing design and dimensions actually improve cow welfare. We recorded individual cow body dimensions and assessed skin alterations, dirtiness, and lameness on 3,841 cows from 131 loose housing dairy farms (76 farms with cubicles and 55 straw-yard systems). We recorded the dimensions of cubicles (e.g., width, length, and so on) and of the self-locking barrier (e.g., top rail height and so on) for each farm. We then compared whether these dimensions would match with the individual cow body dimensions and whether compliance was associated with the occurrence of skin alterations, lameness, and dirtiness. Most cows (69.2%) had at least one skin alteration, on the tarsus (41.2%); neck, shoulder, or back (28.2%); hindquarters (22.0%); carpus (21.2%); and flank, side, or udder (11.6%). Lameness prevalence reached 17.9%. Most cows (83.1%) were scored dirty in at least one body region, mainly on the lower hind legs including hocks (81.4%), hindquarters (41.8%), and udder (21.0%). Cubicle recommendations were mostly met for cubicle resting length (75.9% of cubicles) and neck rail distance (NRD, 60.7%) but less so for overall cubicle length (CL, 38.8%), cubicle width (CW, 30.9%), neck rail height (NRH, 22.5%), head space (HS, 15.8%), partition zone for controlling lying position (ii zone, 15.7%), head and lunging space (HLS, 10.6%), partition head zone (i zone, 9.4%), and partition zone for pelvis freedom (iii zone, 6.0%). Compliance with design recommendations was associated with fewer skin alterations on neck (recommendation met for CW, CL, HS, and NRD and i zone), hindquarters (CW, CL, NRD), tarsus (CW, i and ii zones), and carpus (CW, HS, i and ii zones); less lameness (CW, NRH, i zone); and less dirtiness on the hindquarters (CW, HLS, NRD), lower hind legs (iii zone), and udder (CW, CL, HLS, NRD). Compliance with recommended i zone and ii zone design was associated with less injury and lameness but more dirtiness, whereas the opposite was true for the iii zone. Self-locking barrier recommendations were mostly met for bottom rail height (68.2%), separation wall width (SWW, 68.3%), and top rail height (TRH, 56.9%) and less often met for separation wall height (36.3%) and height difference between feeding floor and walking alley (26.5%). Risk for skin alterations on carpus and neck only decreased when SWW and TRH met recommendations. In conclusion, compliance with CIGR recommendations for some cubicle dimensions and neck rail position was associated with lower risk for cow welfare. However, the CIGR recommendations on cubicle partitions and self-locking barriers still leave welfare at risk and so need to be refined through further research with close observation of cow lying and feeding behavior., (Copyright © 2019 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Our objective was to evaluate how sampling strategies (i.e., how many cows to sample and which animals to include) used in 4 dairy cattle welfare assessment programs affect the classification of dairy farms relative to thresholds of acceptability for animal-based measures. We predicted that classification performance would improve when more cows were sampled and when selecting from all lactating cows versus when some pens were excluded. On 38 freestall farms, we assessed all 12,375 cows for lameness, injuries on the tarsal (hock) and carpal joints, and body condition score and calculated the farm-level prevalence for each measure. Based on approaches used in the industry, we evaluated 6 sampling strategies generated using formulas with precision (d) of 15, 10, or 5% applied to either a single high-producing pen or all lactating cows; an additional sample was included with d = 10% applied to the entire herd, selecting lactating cows in proportion to their representation in the herd. For each sampling strategy, cow records were selected randomly (in 10,000 replicates) to calculate prevalence. The strategy of assessing all cows in the high-producing pen was also compared. Farms were classified as meeting (below) or failing to meet (above) thresholds of ≤15% moderate lameness; ≤20% moderate carpal or hock injuries; <10, <5, and ≤1% severe lameness; or injuries on the carpus or hock; and <5, <3, <1, or 0% thin cows. For each measure and threshold, we calculated pooled percent agreement, kappa, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value for each sampling strategy using true prevalence as the gold standard for herd classification. Across measures and thresholds, classification performance increased with the number of cows sampled [i.e., when narrower precision values (d = 5 vs. 10 vs. 15%) were used in the sample size calculation]. Because narrower precision values can dramatically increase sample size, assessment programs may need to consider both feasibility and the degree of misclassification they will accept. Applying the formula directly to lactating cows performed better than applying it to the entire herd and then selecting lactating cows in proportion to their representation in the herd. Farm classifications were similar whether cows in the hospital pen were included or excluded from the sample. Selecting all cows from the high-producing pen resulted in classifications similar to when including all lactating cows, suggesting that assessing cows from the high-producing pen may serve as an acceptable proxy for all lactating cows on the farm., (The Authors. Published by FASS Inc. and Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Objective: To describe traumatic injuries involving the central tarsal bone (Tc) in nonracing dogs., Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study., Animals: Thirty-two client-owned dogs., Methods: Medical records from January 2010 to December 2016 were searched for dogs with Tc injury. Fracture classification, concurrent tarsal fractures, treatment, and perioperative management were tested for association with postoperative complications and short-term outcome. Outcome measures consisted of the latest lameness score reported in the record., Results: The most common injuries consisted of type V fractures (22) and luxation of the Tc (8). Other injuries included 1 case each of type III and type IV fractures. Twenty-two concurrent fractures involved other tarsal bones. Complications were diagnosed in 18 (62.1%) dogs, consisting of 13 minor, 4 major, and 1 catastrophic complication. Lameness at final follow-up (median 7 weeks) in 28 dogs was scored as 0 of 5 in 14 (50.0%) dogs, 1 of 5 in 7 (25.0%) dogs, 2 of 5 in 4 (14.3%) dogs, 4 of 5 in 1 (3.5%) dogs, and 5 of 5 in 2 (7.1%) dogs. Major complications were associated with the presence of multiple tarsal fractures (risk ratio [RR] 3.94, 95% CI 0.80-19.37, P = .13), specifically when the calcaneus was involved (RR 5.78, 95% CI 1.53-21.88, P = .05)., Conclusion: The most common diagnosis in this population of nonracing dogs consisted of type V Tc fractures. Fractures affecting other tarsal bones were common and were associated with a higher risk of major complications, especially those affecting the calcaneus., Clinical Significance: Short-term outcomes seem favorable in nonracing dogs with isolated Tc fractures, but dogs with concomitant tarsal fractures are predisposed to major complications., (© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Dairy cows are culled from the herd for a variety of reasons, the most common being fertility problems, low milk production, or udder problems. Disease and injury can contribute to the decision to cull either directly, or indirectly, by causing fertility or production problems, leading to culling. Disease or injury may also affect the cow's ability to handle the stress of transportation and may increase the risk for reduced welfare. The purpose of this study was to determine the general condition of culled dairy cows sold at Ontario auction markets, to quantify the frequency of culled cows in poor condition sold at these auctions, and to determine how this relates to the sale price of the cow. Data were collected on 4,460 culled dairy cows, sold at 3 Ontario auction markets, over a continuous 16-wk study period. Observers assessed the general condition of dairy cows entering the sales ring by recording each individual cow's hock injury score, body condition score (BCS), gait score, and tail score, in accordance with 2017 Canadian proAction Animal Care guidelines. Each cow's body weight, breed, and sale price were also recorded. Results showed that 27.2% of culled cows scored had unacceptable hock injuries, 40.5% had a BCS ≤2, 72.7% had an abnormal gait, and 12.5% had docked tails. Culled cows with a BCS ≤2 sold for $0.20 less/kg compared with those with a BCS >2, which equated to an overall average loss of $117 per cow. Cows with an abnormal gait sold for $0.05 less/kg compared with culled cows with a normal gait, which equated to an overall average loss of $32.45 per cow. There was no difference in the sale price depending on hock injury score or the presence or absence of a full tail. The main issues identified in this study were the high prevalence of low body condition and abnormal gait, indicating that the welfare of these cows may be at risk. Additionally, cows with low BCS or abnormal gait sold for a lower price compared with cows that were in good condition, leading to reduced potential profit for the producer., (Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the effects of 6 types of transarticular immobilization techniques on tibiotarsal joint angles during stimulated weight bearing., Study Design: Canine ex vivo biomechanical study., Sample Population: Canine cadaveric pelvic limbs (n = 15)., Methods: A validation study was conducted to determine tibiotarsal flexion before and after transection of the superficial digital flexor tendon in 5 canine cadaveric limbs without tibiotarsal joint immobilization. Six transarticular tibiotarsal immobilization techniques were tested sequentially in 10 canine cadaveric pelvic limbs. The tibiotarsal joint angles were measured from lateral projection radiographs before and during axial loading of 200 N. Mixed linear models were applied to determine the effects of the immobilization techniques on change in tibiotarsal joint angle under loading., Results: There was no change of tibiotarsal joint angle between extended digits and flexed digits under both unloaded and loaded conditions. Change in tibiotarsal joint angles did not differ among any of the immobilization techniques tested here (mean change 1.36°, range 0-5). The main contributor to variance in angle explained by the final model was associated with the random effect for limb., Conclusion: Changes in tibiotarsal joint angles during single static loading in canine cadaveric limbs for the 6 immobilization techniques were minimal., Clinical Significance: The 6 techniques appear equally effective at limiting tibiotarsal joint flexion during single axial loading of 200 N. Cyclic mechanical testing of these techniques is recommended to support our findings and validate their clinical application., (© 2018 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

A 2-year-old Pomeranian goose ( Anser anser) weighing 8.1 kg was examined because of non-weight-bearing lameness of the right limb. A closed, transverse, diaphyseal fracture of the distal third of the right tibiotarsus with a craniolateral displacement of the distal fragment was diagnosed radiographically. Surgery under general anesthesia was performed to repair the fracture with a 14-hole, 2.7-mm locking plate fixed with 6 screws in a bicortical manner. Two days later, the bird was fully weight-bearing on the leg. Radiographs performed 4 and 8 weeks after surgery showed good healing of the affected bone with an appropriate callus formation bridging the fracture line. Sixteen weeks after surgery, the patient was readmitted because of lameness exhibited while staying outside exposed to subzero (°C) temperatures. On the basis of this finding, heat conduction was postulated as the possible cause of lameness because it disappeared after implant removal. To the best our knowledge, this case represents the first report of a surgical repair of a tibiotarsal fracture with a locking plate in waterfowl.

Leg injuries on dairy cows are a common and highly visible welfare concern on commercial dairy farms. With greater attention being placed on food animal welfare and limited research being conducted on tiestall farms, this study aimed to identify prevalence and risk factors for hock and knee injuries on dairy cows housed in tiestall barns in Ontario (n=40) and Quebec (n=60). A sample of 40 cows was purposively selected per farm and several animal- and farm-based measures were taken. Both hocks and both knees on each cow were scored as injured (presence of lesions or swelling) or not injured (no alterations or hair loss), and the highest score of each of the 2 knees and the 2 hocks was considered the cow's hock or knee score. Possible animal- and farm-based risk factors were incorporated into 2 separate multivariable logistic models for hock injuries and knee injuries respectively at the cow level. Mean (±SD) percentage of cow with hock injuries per farm was found to be 56±18% and mean percentage of knee injuries per farm was found to be 43±23%. Animal-based factors found to be associated with a greater odds of hock injuries at the cow level were increased days in milk (DIM), lower body condition score (BCS), lameness, higher parity, higher cow width, median lying bout duration, and median number of lying bouts. Environmental factors found to be associated with hock injuries at the cow level were province, stall width, tie rail position, stall base, chain length, and age of stall base. Animal-based factors found to be associated with knee injuries at the cow level were DIM, BCS, and median lying time. Environmental factors found to be associated with knee injuries at the cow level were stall width, chain length, province, stall base, and bed length. Quadratic and interaction terms were also identified between these variables in both the hock and knee models. This study demonstrates that hock and knee injuries are still a common problem on tiestall dairy farms in Canada. Several animal- and housing-based factors contribute to their presence. Further research to confirm causal relationships between these factors would help identify the cause of knee and hock injuries and determine how to best reduce the incidence of injuries in cows on commercial tiestall dairy farms in Canada., (Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, a data set of 2922 lactating dairy cows in a sample of 64 conventional and organic dairy farms with Holstein Friesian cows in Germany and 31 conventional dairy farms with the dual purpose breed Fleckvieh in Austria was used to screen for correlations between the occurrences of different integument alterations. All cows were housed in cubicle systems. Alterations were classified as hairless areas (H), scabs or wounds (W) or swellings (S) and assessed at 15 locations of the cows' body. Highest median farm prevalences were found at the joints of the legs, which are already commonly included in studies on integumentary alterations: median farm prevalence was 83% for S and 48% for H at the carpal joints, followed by H (38%) and S (20%) at the lateral tarsal joints and H at the lateral calcanei (20%). Additional body parts with notable median prevalences for H were the hip bones (13%), pin bones (12%) and sacrum (11%). Three cluster models, with 2, 5 and 14 clusters, were built by hierarchical clustering of prevalences of the 30 most relevant alteration location combinations. Clustering revealed that location overruled type of lesion in most cases. Occasionally, clusters represented body segments significantly distant from each other, for example the carpal joints and lateral and dorsal calcanei. However, some neighbouring areas such as the medial and lateral hock area should be analysed separately from each other for causal analysis as they formed distinct clusters.

Lameness is a severe welfare problem and a production-limiting disease in dairy farming. The objectives of this study were to determine prevalence of lameness and investigate cow- and herd-level factors associated with lameness in dairy cows housed in freestall barns in 3 Canadian provinces. A purposive sample of 40 Holstein-Friesian cows was selected from each of 141 dairy farms in Québec, Ontario, and Alberta. In total, 5,637 cows were scored once for lameness (presence of limping when walking). Data collected included information on individual cows (hock lesions, claw length, body condition score, parity, days in milk, and milk production), management practices (floor and stall cleaning routine, bedding routine, and footbath practices), and facility design (stall dimensions, stall base and bedding type, width of feed alley, flooring type, and slipperiness) hypothesized to be risk factors for lameness. Multilevel mixed logistic regression models were constructed (including farm as a random effect and province as a fixed effect). Herd-level lameness prevalence ranged from 0 to 69% (mean = 21%). Lameness prevalence increased with increasing parity; compared with first parity, cows in parity 2, 3, and ≥ 4 had 1.6, 3.3, and 4 times, respectively, higher odds of being lame. Furthermore, the odds of lameness were 1.6 times greater in cows with low body condition score (≤ 2.5) than in cows with a higher body condition score. In addition, injured hocks and overgrown claws were associated with 1.4- and 1.7-fold increased odds of being lame, respectively, whereas every 1 kg increase in daily milk production was associated with a 3% decrease in the odds of being lame. Lameness prevalence was higher in herds with ≤ 100 cows, but lower in barns with a sand or dirt stall base, or with bedding ≥ 2 cm deep. Cows exposed to very slippery floors had 2 times the odds of being lame compared with cows exposed to nonslippery floors. We attributed the wide range of lameness prevalence to the great variability in facilities and management practices among farms. Finally, we inferred that the prevalence of lameness could be decreased by improving management of multiparous, thin, or injured cows and by adopting management practices intended to improve cow comfort, namely the floor's slip resistance and the stall's lying surface., (Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lameness and hock injuries are recognized welfare and production problems in the dairy industry. The objective of this study was to describe changes in the prevalence of these ailments in 15 freestall herds in the Northeastern United States that participated in an on-farm assessment program. Prevalence was assessed in a high-producing pen in each herd. A confidential report was delivered to each of the farms showing prevalence in relation to other herds assessed within the same region. The average (±SD) period between visits was 11.5 ± 4.4 months (range, 8-25 months). The prevalence of lameness decreased in most herds after the first assessment (mean difference ± SE [range] = -17 ± 4 % [-43 to 6]). An even larger improvement was seen in the prevalence of hock injuries with all farms showing a decrease (-38 ± 6% [-1 to -87]). The degree of improvement observed at the second assessment was greatest for those farms that had higher lameness prevalence when first assessed, but this was not the case for hock injuries. The changes in prevalence of clinical lameness and overall hock lesions were, however, correlated (ρ = 0.62). These results suggest that monitoring and reporting the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries to farmers can motivate changes in facilities and management targeted to address these ailments., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To identify environmental and management factors affecting injury rate in racing greyhounds., Methods: Surveys of racing injuries at two greyhound tracks in the UK were conducted using injury data collected by track veterinary surgeons. At Track A the relative frequency of common injuries was determined and compared with previously published studies conducted in the UK. At Track B the effects of month of the year, ambient temperature and track condition ("going") on injury rate were determined., Results: Comparison of common injuries at Track A with previous studies suggested a change in the relative frequency of some injury types following a change in track surface from grass to sand. Estimated injury rates suggest improved track safety with the change in track surface. At Track B, injury rate increased significantly with faster track conditions. Time of year and ambient temperature had no significant effect on injury rate., Clinical Significance: Changes in track maintenance resulting in a slower track may reduce injury rate in racing greyhounds, with associated welfare benefits., (© 2014 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

The objective was to investigate the association between herd-level management and facility design and the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries in high-producing dairy cows on commercial freestall farms in China. Housing and management measures, such as stall design, bedding type, and milking routine were collected for the high-producing pen in 34 farms in China. All cows in the pen were gait scored using a 5-point scale, and evaluated for hock injuries using a 3-point scale. Measures associated with the proportion of clinically (score ≥3) or severely (score ≥4) lame cows, and the proportion of cows having at least a minor hock injury (score ≥2) or severe injury (score=3) at the univariable level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. The prevalence [mean ± SD (range)] of clinical and severe lameness were 31 ± 12 (7-51) and 10 ± 6% (0- 27%), respectively, and the prevalence of cows with at least a minor hock injury and with severe injuries was 40 ± 20 (6 - 95) and 5 ± 9% (0 - 50%), respectively. The prevalence of clinical lameness and severe lameness decreased with herd size (estimate=-0.35 ± 0.09% for a 100-cow increase for clinical lameness; estimate=0.15 ± 0.06% for a 100-cow increase for severe lameness). Prevalence increased with barn age >9 yr (estimate=12.73 ± 4.42% for clinical lameness; estimate=5.79 ± 2.89% for severe lameness). These 2 variables combined explained 49% of the variation in clinical lameness and 30% of the variation in severe lameness. The prevalence of all hock injuries and severe hock injuries decreased with deep bedding (estimate=-20.90 ± 5.66% for all hock injuries; estimate=-3.65 ± 1.41% for severe hock injuries) and increased with barn age >9 yr (estimate=16.68 ± 7.17% for all hock injuries; estimate=6.95 ± 1.75% for severe injuries). These 2 variables explained 52 and 58% of the variation, respectively. In conclusion, large variation existed across farms in prevalence of lameness and hock injuries. Changes in housing and management may help control the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries in the emerging dairy industry in China., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Describe optimal corridors for mediolateral or lateromedial implant placement in the feline tarsus and base of the metatarsus., Methods: Computed tomographic images of 20 cadaveric tarsi were used to define optimal talocalcaneal, centroquartal, distal tarsal, and metatarsal corridors characterized by medial and lateral insertion points (IP), mean height, width, length and optimal dorsomedial-plantarolateral implantation angle (OIA)., Results: Talocalcaneal level: The IP were at the head of the talus and plantar to the peroneal tubercle of the calcaneus and OIA was 22.7° ± 0.3. Centroquartal level: The IP were at the centre of the medial surface of the central tarsal bone and dorsoproximal to the tuberosity of the fourth tarsal bone and OIA was 5.9° ± 0.06. Distal tarsal level: The IP were at the centre of the medial surface of the tarsal bone II and dorsodistal to the tuberosity of the fourth tarsal bone and OIA was 5.4° ± 0.14. Metatarsal level: The IP were at the dorsomedial surface of the proximal end of the metatarsal bone II and at the dorsolateral surface of metatarsal bone V and OIA was 0.5° ± 0.06. Significant positive correlation was found between body weight and the length of each corridor., Clinical Significance: Most of the corridors obtained in this study had a diameter between 1.5 mm and 2 mm with a length of 15 mm to 18 mm, which stresses the importance of their accurate placement.

An eight-month-old Labrador retriever was presented with a grade IIIb open shearing injury of the left tarsus. Acute severe surgical site infection developed 2 days after pan-tarsal arthrodesis, resulting in wound dehiscence. Vacuum-assisted wound therapy was carried out for 12 days to treat an extensive full-thickness soft tissue defect with exposure of metal implants. New granulation tissue formation covering most of the defect was achieved by day 10 of this therapy. Epithelialization was achieved by second intention healing with open wound management. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first veterinary clinical case report documenting complete healing over exposed metal implants without any requirement for surgical revision., (© 2013 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between management and facility design factors and the prevalence of hock injuries in high-producing dairy cows in 76 freestall herds in the northeastern United States (NE-US; Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania) and California (CA). One group of high-production multiparous cows was monitored on each farm, and data on management, facility and stall design, and the conditions of the hocks were collected. Focal cows [n=38 ± 3 (mean ± standard deviation)] were evaluated for hock injuries using a 3-point scale (where 1=healthy and 3=evidently swollen or severe injury). Measures associated with the proportion (logit-transformed) of cows having injuries (score ≥ 2) or severe injuries (score=3) at the univariable level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. In NE-US, overall hock injuries increased with the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination [odds ratio (OR)=1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02-1.54, for a 10% increase], and with the use of sawdust as bedding (OR=3.47; CI=1.14-10.62), and decreased with deep bedding (i.e., at least 10 cm depth of any type of bedding; OR=0.05; CI=0.02-0.14), use of sand as bedding (OR=0.06; CI=0.02-0.15), bedding dry matter (DM) ≥ 83.9% (OR=0.08; CI=0.03-0.20), and access to pasture during the dry period (OR=0.17; CI=0.05-0.53). When these variables were submitted to a multivariable model, the presence of deep bedding was the only factor that remained significant, explaining 54% of the variation in overall injuries. Severe hock injuries increased with the use of automatic scrapers (OR=2.29; CI=1.11-4.71) and the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination (OR=1.14; CI=1.00-1.31, for a 10% increase), and decreased with sand bedding (OR=0.22; CI=0.10-0.49), deep bedding (OR=0.24; CI=0.11-0.52), bedding DM ≥ 83.9% (OR=0.28; CI=0.14-0.58), and access to pasture during the dry period (OR=0.42; CI=0.18-0.97). The final multivariable model, which explained 36% of the variation in severe hock injuries, included the use of automatic scrapers and deep bedding. In CA, stall stocking density (OR=1.41; CI=1.00-2.01, for a 10% increase) and poor bedding maintenance (OR=1.08; CI=1.01-1.16, for a 2.5-cm decrease in depth of deep-bedded stalls) were associated with an increase of overall and severe hock injuries, respectively. Deep-bedded and well-maintained stalls reduce the risk of hock injuries. Regional variation in risk factors for these injuries should be considered when formulating on-farm recommendations., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the surgical technique for pantarsal arthrodesis (PTA) in cats according to the principles of percutaneous plate arthrodesis with application of a pre-contoured dorsal plate, without external coaptation and to report the long-term clinical outcome., Materials and Methods: Retrospective review was performed of all cats treated by percutaneous plate application using a new pre-contoured dorsal plate for PTA between 2008 and 2011. Inclusion criteria were clinical and radiographic records plus clinical follow-up to at least six weeks. Data recorded included signalment, indication for surgery, postoperative care, and complications encountered. Radiographs were assessed for arthrodesis progression and complications. Outcome was assessed using an owner questionnaire., Results: Eleven cats were treated for tarsal injuries and met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 86 ± 45 months, weight 4.50 ± 0.92 kg. The only major short-term complication encountered was wound dehiscence requiring sedation and re-suturing. In the medium-term (23.3 months ± 11.6 months) eight out of nine cats returned to normal activity and one cat showed intermittent lameness. Long-term (34.3 months ±17.5 months) radiographic evaluation was performed in seven out of nine cats; six manifested complete arthrodesis and one sustained plate breakage. Based on owner questionnaire, all nine cats returned to normal activity in the long-term, even the case with plate breakage., Conclusion: Based on our results, PTA using a custom pre-contoured dorsal plate is a suitable salvage surgery for treatment of severe tarsal injuries in cats.

The objectives of this study were to describe herd-level reproductive outcomes and their associations with the prevalence of lameness, hock injuries and knee injuries in freestall dairy herds in the northeastern United States. Five reproductive outcomes (calving to conception interval, CCI; calving interval, CI; conception risk at the first artificial insemination, CR1; insemination rate, IR; and pregnancy rate, PR) were measured from Dairy Comp 305 (Valley Agricultural Software, Tulare, CA) for a 12-mo period for all multiparous cows in each of the 53 herds assessed. The prevalence of lameness, hock injuries, and knee injuries was assessed in 1 high-producing group. The means (± standard deviation) for the 5 reproductive outcomes were as follows: CCI = 128 ± 10 d, CI = 404 ± 10 d, CR1 = 36 ± 5%, IR = 60 ± 7%, and PR = 20 ± 3%. The average prevalence of clinical lameness, hock injuries, and knee injuries were 45 ± 20%, 58 ± 31%, and 16 ± 15%, respectively. Univariable associations between the reproductive outcomes and the prevalence of lameness and leg injuries were tested and significant predictors were submitted to a model that controlled for the confounding effects of herd size, 305-d mature equivalent milk production of the high-producing group, and use of deep bedding. A higher prevalence of lameness was associated with poorer reproductive performance, although the relationships were weak: herds with a higher prevalence of lameness had longer average CCI (slope estimate = 0.16 ± 0.07; R(2)= 0.09) and CI (slope estimate = 0.14 ± 0.07; R(2) = 0.07). These results indicate that management to reduce lameness may improve reproductive performance., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Arthrodesis is an elective surgical procedure designed to eliminate articular pain and dysfunction by deliberate osseous fusion. A percutaneous approach can be used to perform tarsal and carpal arthrodeses in dogs and cats. Intraoperative imaging facilitates cartilage debridement performed with a burr inserted through stab incisions. The plate is introduced through an epiperiosteal tunnel and secured with screws inserted through the skin insertion incisions. Additional screws can be placed through separate stab incisions. The primary advantage of this technique is a decreased risk of soft tissue complications such as plantar necrosis or wound dehiscence. Preliminary clinical results are promising., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A study was conducted to determine whether water-cooled perches would be preferred by commercial broilers exposed to a hot ambient environment, and subsequently, whether utilization of these perches would improve performance and the well-being of birds, beyond those provided by normal perches. Four hundred and thirty-two 14-d-old male chickens from a commercial fast-growing strain (Arbor Acres) were housed in the following conditions: 1) cool perches, 2) normal perches, and 3) control pens with no perches. The results showed that there was greater use of cool perches than normal perches for broiler chickens during summer (F1, 4=125, P=0.0004). Cool perches increased BW gain (F2, 6=5.44, P=0.0449) and breast (F2, 24=3.31, P=0.0539) and thigh muscle yields (F2, 24=6.29, P=0.0063), while decreasing abdominal fat deposition (F2, 24=7.57, P=0.0028), cooking loss (pectoralis major, F2, 24=3.30, P=0.0542; biceps femoris, F2, 24=3.42, P=0.0493), percentage of panting birds (F2, 6=102, P<0.0001), and scores of footpad (F2, 6=122, P<0.0001) and hock (F2, 6=68.2, P<0.0001) burn, and abdominal plumage condition (F2, 6=52.0, P=0.0002), particularly toward the end of the rearing period. In contrast, normal perches hardly affected growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality and behavioral patterns, and appeared to worsen the welfare status, including footpad and hock burns and abdominal plumage condition, due to a lower occupancy rate. Cool perches offer a thermoregulatory and performance advantage to broilers exposed to a hot environment and appear to be a management strategy for improving the production and well-being of commercial broilers.

The significance of collateral ligament desmitis of the tarsocrural joint is often clinically underestimated, because it is an uncommon injury with a guarded prognosis for athletic soundness. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of 12 horses with collateral ligament desmitis, along with tarsocrural joint synovitis secondary to hemarthrosis. Criteria for inclusion in this study included clinical signs of tarsocrural joint synovitis and sonographic evidence of collateral ligament desmitis. This retrospective study evaluated horses over an 8-year period. Median follow-up after treatment was 5.5 years. Four horses in the study returned to their previous level of performance, 6 horses remained lame due to pain in the tarsus, 1 was euthanized, and 1 is in convalescence. This study highlights the importance of collateral ligament desmitis, and emphasizes the need for early, aggressive treatment to prevent the development of osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate and compare bone modeling and remodeling in fractured and non-fractured central tarsal bones (CTBs) of racing Greyhounds., Sample: Paired cadaveric tarsi from 6 euthanized racing Greyhounds with right CTB fractures and 6 racing Greyhounds with other nontarsal injuries., Procedures: CTBs were dissected and fractured CTBs were reconstructed. Central tarsal bones were evaluated through standard and nonscreen high-detail radiography, computed tomography, and histologic examination. The bone mineral density (BMD) was calculated adjacent to fracture planes and as a gradient on sagittal computed tomographic images. Sagittal and transverse plane sections of bone were obtained and submitted for subjective histologic assessment. Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare findings., Results: Fractured right CTBs had greater BMD in the dorsal and midbody regions of the sagittal plane sections than did nonfractured CTBs. The BMD ratios from bone adjacent to the dorsal slab fracture planes were not different between fractured and nonfractured right CTBs., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Findings supported the existence of site-specific bone adaptation in CTBs of Greyhounds, with modeling and remodeling patterns that were unique to fractured right CTBs. The dorsal and midbody regions of fractured bones had greater BMD, and fractures occurred through these zones of increased BMD.

The aim was to obtain data regarding the effects of 4 freestall bedding materials (i.e., box compost, sand, horse manure, and foam mattresses) on cow comfort and risks for lameness and mastitis. The comfort of freestalls was measured by analyzing the way cows entered the stalls, the duration and smoothness of the descent movement, and the duration of the lying bout. The cleanliness of the cows was evaluated on 3 different body parts: (1) udder, (2) flank, and (3) lower rear legs, and the bacteriological counts of the bedding materials were determined. The combination of the cleanliness of the cows and the bacteriological count of the bedding material provided an estimate of the risk to which dairy cows are exposed in terms of intramammary infections. The results of the hock assessment revealed that the percentage of cows with healthy hocks was lower (20.5 ± 6.7), the percentage of cows with both damaged and swollen hocks was higher (26.8 ± 3.2), and the severity of the damaged hock was higher (2.32 ± 0.17) on farms using foam mattresses compared with deep litter materials [i.e., box compost (64.0 ± 10.4, 3.5 ± 4.7, 1.85 ± 0.23, respectively), sand (54.6 ± 8.2, 2.0 ± 2.8, 1.91 ± 0.09, respectively), and horse manure (54.6 ± 4.5, 5.5 ± 5.4, 1.85 ± 0.17, respectively)]. In addition, cows needed more time to lie down (140.2 ± 84.2s) on farms using foam mattresses compared with the deep litter materials sand and horse manure (sand: 50.1 ± 31.6s, horse manure: 32.9 ± 0.8s). Furthermore, the duration of the lying bout was shorter (47.9 ± 7.4 min) on farms using foam mattresses compared to sand (92.0 ± 12.9 min). These results indicate that deep litter materials provide a more comfortable lying surface compared with foam mattresses. The 3 deep litter bedding materials differed in relation to each other in terms of comfort and their estimate of risk to which cows were exposed in terms of intramammary infections [box compost: 17.8 cfu (1.0(4)) ± 19.4/g; sand: 1.2 cfu (1.0(4)) ± 1.6/g; horse manure: 110.5 cfu (1.0(4)) ± 86.3/g]. Box compost had a low gram-negative bacterial count compared with horse manure, and was associated with less hock injury compared with foam mattresses, but did not improve lying behavior (lying descent duration: 75.6 ± 38.8s, lying bout duration: 46.1 ± 18.5 min). Overall, sand provided the best results, with a comfortable lying surface and a low bacterial count., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Arthropathy of the distal articular surfaces of the third metacarpal (Mc3) and metatarsal (Mt3) bones in the Thoroughbred racehorse (Tb) is a natural model of repetitive overload arthrosis. We describe a novel pathology that affects the articular calcified cartilage (ACC) and subchondral bone (SCB) and which is associated with hyaline articular cartilage degeneration. Parasagittal slices cut from the palmar quadrant of the distal condyles of the left Mc3/Mt3 of 39 trained Tbs euthanized for welfare reasons were imaged by point projection microradiography, and backscattered electron (BSE) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy, and confocal scanning light microscopy. Mechanical properties were studied by nanoindentation. Data on the horses' training and racing career were also collected. Highly mineralised projections were observed extending from cracks in the ACC mineralising front into the hyaline articular cartilage (HAC) up to two-thirds the thickness of the HAC, and were associated with focal HAC surface fibrillation directly overlying their site. Nanoindentation identified this extruded matrix to be stiffer than any other mineralised phase in the specimen by a factor of two. The presence of projections was associated with a higher cartilage Mankin histology score (P<0.02) and increased amounts of gross cartilage loss pathologically on the condyle (P<0.02). Presence of projections was not significantly associated with: total number of racing seasons, age of horse, amount of earnings, number of days in training, total distance galloped in career, or presence of wear lines.

A horse was initially diagnosed with hemarthrosis and desmitis of the long medial collateral ligament of the right tarsus and later developed prominent enthesiophytosis at the site of insertion of the ligament's deep portion. Hemarthrosis due to intra- or peri-articular pathology can cause recurrent lameness, even without evident external trauma.

Objectives: To determine observer agreement on radiographic evaluation of central tarsal bone (CTB) fractures and compare this with evaluation of the same fractures using computed tomography (CT)., Methods: Radiographs and CT scans were obtained of the right tarsi from limbs of Greyhounds euthanatized after sustaining severe CTB fracture during racing. Four observers described and classified each fracture. Inter- and intra-observer agreements were calculated., Results: Inter-observer agreement was higher for assessment of fractures using CT. Several fractures assessed by radiography were misclassified as a less severe type. Intra-observer agreement for assessment and classification of CTB fractures via radiography versus CT was variable. Overall agreement among all four observers was higher for CT than radiography. Additionally, when identifying fractures of the adjacent tarsal bones, observer agreement was higher for CT than radiography., Clinical Significance: Computed tomography improved observer ability to correctly evaluate CTB fracture and detect the degree of displacement and extent of any comminution. Identification of fractures of adjacent tarsal bones was also improved when tarsi were assessed using CT. These data suggest that treatment decisions based solely on radiographic assessment of CTB fractures may not produce the expected outcome.

Objective: To describe the signalment, morphology, response to treatment and prognosis of third tarsal bone fractures in the racing greyhound., Methods: All third tarsal bone fractures seen by the author over a ten year period were included in the study. Diagnosis was by radiography. Treatments were reconstruction with a lag screw, fragment removal, centrodistal joint arthrodesis or conservative management., Results: Twenty-three cases were included in the study of which 16 cases were recent and seven cases chronic fractures. The chronic cases had been rested from between three and six months before an examination for recurrent lameness. There were five concomitant second tarsal bone fractures. Partial dorsal collapse was present in four cases. Thirteen dogs had lag screw fixation; three were lost to follow-up, seven returned to racing and three, all with partial tarsal collapse, failed to return to racing. Two dogs that had a centrodistal joint arthrodesis and one dog treated by rest alone raced again. Two dogs that had fragment removal failed to return to racing., Clinical Significance: Veterinary examination of greyhounds with third tarsal bone fractures is often not sought at the time of the initial injury due to the benign presenting signs. Recurrence of lameness after rest is common. The prognosis for a successful return to racing would appear to be good following fragment fixation in both acute and chronic cases without dorsal tarsal collapse. Centrodistal joint arthrodesis may encourage bone union. The prognosis for conconservatively treated cases is guarded. Fragment removal is not recommended as a treatment., (© 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

This cross-sectional study evaluated cow comfort measures in free stall dairies across the United States as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Dairy 2007 study. The study was conducted in 17 states and evaluations were completed between March 5 and September 5, 2007. Assessors recorded hygiene and hock scores, number of cows housed in the pen, the number of cows standing with only the front feet in a stall, standing fully in a stall, and lying in a stall. Facility design measures included bedding type, bedding quantity, stall length and width, presence of a neck rail or brisket locator, and relevant distances from the rear and bed of the stall. Of the 491 operations that completed the cow comfort assessment, 297 had Holstein cows housed in free stalls and were included in this analysis. Negative binomial models were constructed to evaluate the following outcomes: the number of cows that were very dirty, had severe hock injuries, stood with front feet in the stall, stood with all feet in the stall, and were lying in the stall. Hygiene was better on farms that did not tail dock cows compared with those that did (5.7 vs. 8.8% were dirty) and on farms located in the study's west region compared with those located in the east region (5.2 vs. 9.7% were dirty). Severe hock injuries were less common on farms in the west than those in the east (0.5 vs. 4.1%). In addition, severe hock injuries were less common on farms that used dirt as a stall base or sand as bedding compared with farms that did not. A higher percentage of cows was standing with front feet in the stall at higher ambient temperatures (incidence rate ratio=1.016) and as time since feeding increased (incidence rate ratio=1.030). A lower percentage of cows were standing with front feet in the stall when the stalls were shorter and when there were fewer cows per stall. Standing fully in a stall was performed by a higher percentage of cows during the summer than during the spring (13.6 vs. 8.1%), when cows were provided free stalls with rubber mats or mattresses, and as the distance from the rear curb to neck rail increased. A higher percentage of cows were lying in a stall when sand bedding was used, when bedding was added more frequently, and during the spring months. Results of this national survey indicate that tail docking provides no benefit to cow hygiene and that stall base and bedding are key factors influencing hock injuries and stall usage on US free stall dairy farms., (Copyright © 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nonrigid external fixation of a joint is designed to restrict abnormal joint movement and facilitate healing of traumatized ligaments and capsule tissue with minimizing the impact of immobilization on articular homeostasis and cartilage metabolism. Weight bearing and joint motion minimize muscle atrophy and loss of bone mineral and allow controlled loading of the ligaments, thereby improving their strength and functionality. This article describes simple, cost effective techniques for the percutaneous application of external fixators to the elbow, coxofemoral, and tarsal joint of dogs.

The presence of hock injury was assessed in the milking herds of 80 dairy farms (40 organic, 40 nonorganic) across the United Kingdom. A wide range of information on farm management and husbandry was gathered via interview to assess the factors contributing to hock damage for all 80 farms, and a comprehensive building appraisal was conducted for 40 farms visited during the winter housing period. The prevalence of hock lesions was lower on organic compared with nonorganic farms (37.2 vs. 49.1%). Prevalence of hock damage was greater in the spring than fall (59.9 vs. 21.6%) and cows housed in free-stalls had a greater prevalence of hock lesions than those housed on straw (46.0 vs. 25.0%). Prevalence of hock damage increased with lactation number. In the analysis of fall/spring data, the age first mated, herd biosecurity, duration of summer grazing, and cow milk yield were significant factors relating to herd hock damage. Larger herds had a greater proportion of cows with hock swellings. Farms with a shorter calving interval had more cows with hock swellings. Factors relating to housing conditions that were positively associated with the prevalence of hock damage were low feed face space per cow, inferior passageway cleanliness, low total standing area per cow, and the type of bedding added to the free-stall. To assess whether free-stall versus straw-pen or organic versus nonorganic farms had different sets of risk factors, the data were reanalyzed for these types separately. For the straw-pen farms a high culling rate was associated with more hock damage. Within nonorganic farms, the length of summer grazing was significant, with longer periods meaning less hock injury. The prevalence of hock injuries on many UK farms, both organic and non-organic, exceeded levels that are deemed acceptable for cow comfort. Efforts are needed to improve housing standards to reduce the prevalence of hock injury and consequently improve cow welfare.

Osteoarthritis and articular fractures are commonly responsible for early retirement from athletic performance. The subchondral bone (SCB) in those conditions is being recognized as an integral component in their pathophysiology. Early recognition of these potentially career-ending diseases may require understanding of the progression of changes occurring in SCB with time and exercise.

A yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata) was presented 5 months after a traumatic fracture of its left tibiotarsus. Fixation of the simple, closed, mid-diaphyseal fracture was originally with an intramedullary pin and external coaptation with a modified Robert-Jones bandage. During the subsequent 5 months, the bone became osteopenic, and the middle third of the tibiotarsus exhibited probable avascular necrosis. After various fixation attempts failed, the parrot was fitted with a ring fixator device, and bone transport osteogenesis was attempted. Within 7 weeks, the left tibiotarsus had regrown to full length, but the docking site at the proximal fracture line had not healed. After 2 more surgeries to debride bone ends to stimulate healing, the leg in this parrot became functional. This is the first reported clinical use of bone transport osteogenesis in a pet bird. Materials and techniques were applied successfully to this parrot, which suggests that bone transport osteogenesis deserves further study for the repair of large bone defects in birds.

Objectives: To report the complications encountered following tarsal arthrodesis surgery with bone plate fixation and describe the previously unreported complication of plantar necrosis., Methods: Medical records of 40 dogs that had been treated by tarsal arthrodesis with bone plate fixation were reviewed to determine the major and minor complications and the associated risk factors., Results: The major complication rate was 32.5 per cent and the minor complication rate was 42.5 per cent. Pantarsal arthrodeses had a higher major complication rate than partial tarsal arthrodeses. Plantar necrosis was the most common major complication and occurred in 15 per cent of cases. Plantar necrosis occurred more frequently when a bone plate was applied to the medial aspect of the hock, and only occurred in cases where tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis was performed., Clinical Significance: Plantar necrosis is a catastrophic complication that may be associated with injury to the dorsal pedal artery or perforating metatarsal artery. Application of a bone plate to the medial aspect of the hock should be performed with care during tarsal arthrodesis, particularly where the tarsometatarsal joint is debrided of cartilage. Strict attention to surgical technique and proper postoperative coaptation is critical to reduce the potential for complications with tarsal arthrodesis.

This experiment compared the effects of sand and straw bedding in free stalls on resting time, cleanliness, hock injuries, and hoof health of dairy cows and tested whether cow preferences for a bedding material depended on the familiarity with the material. A total of 52 dairy cows were kept either on straw bedded concrete stalls or sand stalls for at least 21 wk. The lying behavior was observed, and hock lesions, hoof health, and cleanliness of the cows and stalls were measured. A 5-d preference test between sand and straw stalls was conducted at the end of the experiment. The total daily duration of lying was longer for cows on straw bedding than on sand bedding (straw 749 +/- 16 vs. sand 678 +/- 19 min). During the preference test, cows that had been kept on straw bedding preferred lying in straw stalls [straw 218.7 (133.4 to 239.7) vs. sand 9.0 min (2.8 to 44.8)]; however, cows that had been kept on sand showed no preference [straw 101.3 (51.7 to 205.9) vs. sand 94.3 min (54.1 to 156.1, median and interquartile range)]. Although there were no differences in the dirtiness of stalls, the cows using straw stalls were dirtier than cows using sand stalls [straw 6.04 (5.39 to 6.28) vs. sand 4.19 (3.62 to 5.16)]. At the end of experiment the severity of hock lesions was lower for cows on sand than for cows on straw [sand 0.5 (0.0 to 1.0) vs. straw 1.0 (1.0 to 2.0)]. The improvement in overall hoof health over the observation period was greater for cows kept on sand compared with cows kept on straw [sand -2.00 (-3.75 to -0.25) vs. straw 0.00 (-2.00 to 2.00)]. Straw bedding increased the time that cows spend lying, and cows preferred straw stalls to sand stalls. However, previous experience with sand reduces avoidance of sand stalls. Sand stalls were advantageous for cow cleanliness and health; hock lesions and claw diseases healed more quickly for cows using sand stalls compared with straw.

A 4.5-kg, adult bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was presented after being found unable to fly. Crepitus was palpated in the left shoulder; however, the wing position was normal. Radiographs revealed caudoventral luxation of the left coracoid, affecting its distal articulation with the clavicle and its proximal articulation with the sternum. The luxation affecting the coracoid-sternum articulation was repaired by using a 4-hole, 1.5-mm T-plate and a 6-hole, 2.0-mm dynamic compression plate (DCP) placed side by side. The luxation affecting the coracoid and the clavicle was repaired by 2 cerclage wires in a simple interrupted pattern. Before a scheduled release, the bird sustained a closed, complete mid diaphyseal transverse fracture of the right tibiotarsus, which most likely occurred during recapture from the flight cage. The fracture was surgically repaired with 2 circumferential cerclage wires, an intramedullary Kirschner wire and one 10-hole, 2.7-mm DCP. The bird was successfully released, 105 days after the first surgery, near the location where it was found.

Fracture of the plantar process of the central tarsal bone together with a dorsomedial displacement of the body of the bone was seen in six border collies. All injuries occurred during free exercise, with no extrinsic trauma. Three dogs had concomitant tarsal fractures. Primary treatment was by lag screwing the central tarsal bone to the fourth tarsal bone. All cases eventually made an excellent recovery. The superficial radiographic appearance was of a luxation of the bone as reported in a previous series, but appraisal of the radiographs showed evidence of fracture in all cases. A cadaver study to assess the mechanism of luxation showed that it is unlikely to occur naturally.

Hyperextension injury of the tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ) is a debilitating injury and arthrodesis of this joint is often the only procedure that can result in full return to function. Most surgical procedures described for arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joint necessitate the use of external, splint or cast, to protect the implants used from fatigue failure. This report describes the successful use of type II external fixator that spans the tarsometatarsal joint in four dogs with hyperextension injury of the tarsometatarsal joint. This technique enables the patient to bear weight on the limb immediately after surgery until bony fusion is achieved, without the need for an additional protecting splint.

The prevalence of osseous fragments in different limb joints was analysed in 3749 young Warmblood riding horses, which were pre-selected for sale at auction from 1991 to 1998 by the Association of Hanoverian Warmblood Breeders (Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V.) in Verden (Aller), Germany. The evaluation of these horses was based on a standardized radiological examination, including the distal interphalangeal (DIJ), the proximal interphalangeal (PIJ), the metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal (MC/MTJ) and the tarsocrural joints (TCJ). In 32% of all horses at least one osseous fragment was found on these radiographs. TCJ were affected in 9.6% of the horses and MC/MTJ in 20.7%. The percentage of horses affected in the MTJ was significantly higher (13.7%) than that of horses affected in the MCJ (9.5%). The prevalences of osseous fragments were considerably lower in DIJ (4.5%) and PIJ (0.9%). Osseous fragments only occurred either in DIJ or PIJ or MC/MTJ or TCJ in 87% of the affected horses. Depending on the joint type, osseous fragments were found in analogous joints in the front and the hind limbs in up to 26% of the affected horses, whilst bilateral affection occurred in between 10% and 46% of the horses. Distribution of osseous fragments in the limb joints investigated here did not differ significantly between male and female horses. There was a significant increase in the percentage of horses with osseous fragments in MC/MTJ during the study period. The results of this study indicate the need to act against the high prevalences of osseous fragments in the limb joints of young Warmblood riding horses.

An eighteen-month old quarter horse gelding was diagnosed with chip fractures from the distal lateral trochlear ridge of the talus. The horse presented with the symptom of persistent synovitis. The diagnosis was based on radiographic evidence. The horse was treated initially with arthroscopic surgery. He was given a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, and a chondroprotective agent to prevent further damage to, and aid in the healing of, the damaged joint.

Grafting of large bone defects caused by trauma or tumor resection still remains a problem to solve. In experimental studies as well as in human dentistry, osteoconduction and biodegradation of the beta-tricalciumphosphate Cerasorb as well as osteoinductive capabilities of platelet rich plasma have been proven. In case of luxation of the right tarsal joint, including a compressive fracture of the forth tarsal bone, the recommended use of autologous cancellous bone to support osseous fusion was replaced by the use of a bioartificial bone graft. Biodegradation of the bone graft was proven clinically and radiographically. Complete osseous fusion of the intertarsal joint occurred. The use of the beta-tricalciumphosphate Cerasorb in combination with platelet rich plasma to support a partial arthrodesis of the tarsal joint in a dog did not impede the healing process but led to full recovery of the patient, indicating that this concept of bioartificial bone grafting could support bone healing.

Reasons for Performing Study: Wounds to the plantar aspect of the tarsus present a diagnostic and treatment challenge. This study was undertaken to describe specific features of traumatic wounds involving the calcaneal bursa, with a view to determining which clinical examination findings and diagnostic tests results could provide reliable indicators of prognosis., Objectives: To report clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome of 24 cases of septic calcaneal bursitis; and to determine the importance of the involvement of specific anatomical structures in relation to the prognosis for survival and return to athletic function., Methods: Records of 24 horses that had suffered traumatic wounds involving the calcaneal bursae were reviewed and divided into 3 groups, based on the bursa involved and presence or absence of involvement of the tuber calcanei. Clinical, diagnostic imaging and surgical findings were recorded for each case. Differences between groups and outcome were examined for significance with Chi-squared, Fisher's Exact or Kruskal-Wallis tests, as appropriate., Results: Wounds involving only the subcutaneous bursa had an excellent prognosis for survival. Seventy-five percent of horses with wounds involving the intertendinous calcaneal bursa survived. Involvement of the tuber calcanei presented a fair to guarded prognosis, with only 44% of horses with involvement of this structure surviving., Conclusions: In contrast to other studies of septic synovial structures, the time between initial injury and referral did not affect the outcome. Correct identification of invasion of the calcaneal bursa(e) and/or tuber calcanei in wounds to the plantar aspect of the tarsus allows for more accurate pronostication. Damage to the tuber calcanei presents a poorer prognosis than for cases that involve only the soft tissue structures in the region., Potential Relevance: This study demonstrates the importance of correct anatomical identification of structures involved in wounds in the region of the calcaneal bursa. The use of radiography, ultrasonography and synoviocentesis are essential in these cases to provide the most appropriate treatment for the horse and accurate prognosis for the owner.