Lecture 23 3/31/25 Flashcards

1
Q

Which ailments of the foot can be treated with surgery?

A

-pedal osteitis
-distal interphalangeal joint septic arthritis
-digital tenosynovitis
-corn removal

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2
Q

What are the indications for local anesthesia of the foot?

A

-rule out distal limb lameness
-perform uncomfortable procedures, including aggressive corrective trims, corn removals, and claw amputations/other surgeries

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3
Q

What is a bier block/RLP?

A

use of a tourniquet to keep anesthetics injected into the vein within the limb region of interest

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4
Q

Which vein is most commonly used in a bier block?

A

dorsal-pedal vein

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5
Q

What are the characteristics of a four point nerve block for the foot?

A

-lidocaine inhibits sodium channels to prevent action potentials
-needle is inserted into the dorsal aspect of the pastern, in the groove between the proximal phalanges, just distal to the fetlock for injection
-injections are also done on the palmar/plantar aspect of the pastern and at the medial and lateral aspects of the fetlock
-for each injection, 5 mL of anesthetic is injected deep and another 5 mL is injected more superficially

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6
Q

What is pedal osteitis?

A

septic inflammation of the 3rd phalanx following an underlying cause

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7
Q

What are the three major locations of pedal osteitis?

A

-apex of P3
-flexor tuberosity of P3
-ventral surface of P3

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8
Q

What are the potential underlying problems that lead to pedal osteitis?

A

-toe ulcer
-white line disease
-screw claw

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9
Q

What finding on radiographs is consistent with pedal osteitis?

A

radiolucent area with sclerosis/radiopacity around it

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10
Q

What re the possible treatment options for pedal osteitis?

A

-apical amputation: removal of 1/3 to 1/2 of claw
-bone curettage: removal of just damaged bone

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11
Q

What are the clinical signs of DIP septic arthritis?

A

-unilateral swelling of foot (single digit)
-swelling above the skin/horn junction +/- a draining tract
-swelling of the heel
-persistent lameness
-upward pointing of the toe from flexor tendon rupture

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12
Q

What is the main differential for DIP septic arthritis, and how are the conditions distinguished?

A

main differential is foot rot; foot rot causes bilateral swelling/swelling in both digits

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13
Q

How is DIP septic arthritis diagnosed?

A

-clinical signs
-radiography

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14
Q

What are the treatment options for DIP septic arthritis?

A

-amputation
-facilitated ankylosis

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15
Q

What are the benefits to choosing amputation as a treatment for DIP septic arthritis?

A

-gets rid of the infection
-cost effective
-rapid recovery; can save a lactation

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16
Q

What is the prognosis for DIP septic arthritis following amputation?

A

-better outcome if medial claw is the one needing amputated; hindlimb and forelimb
-retention in production for 1, maybe 2 more cycles

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17
Q

What are the 3 surgical approaches to amputation in DIP septic arthritis cases?

A

-distal P1
-proximal half of P2
-P1/P2 disarticulation

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18
Q

What are the complications that can occur with the different amputation approaches in DIP septic arthritis?

A

-proximal half of P2: closer to ground and close toa synovial structure that can get infected
-P1/P2 disarticulation: must remove all of P1 cartilage to ensure granulation tissue can grow over the site

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19
Q

What are the aftercare steps for amputation in DIP septic arthritis cases?

A

-use a compression bandage for hemostasis; change as needed
-place a block on the remaining claw to keep surgical site up of the ground/clean
-maintain animal in dry and clean environment

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20
Q

What are the characteristics of skin flaps as a part of claw amputation surgery?

A

-can do an inverted T with partial suture closure or a true flap and primary closure
-requires complete sterile field
-expensive
-beneficial if owner can afford it due to faster healing

21
Q

What are the possible complications of claw amputation?

A

-severe post-op hemorrhage
-persistent infection
-bone necrosis
-extension of infection
-breakdown of remaining digit

22
Q

What are the characteristics of facilitated ankylosis?

A

-allows animal to keep digit
-prolonged process requiring several bandage changes and long-term antibiotics
-will require lots of pain management

23
Q

What are the preparation steps for facilitated ankylosis?

A

-place animal in lateral recumbency with affected claw uppermost
-apply regional limb anesthesia
-lower the heel/caudal sole thickness
-surgically prep entire distal limb

24
Q

What are the characteristics of the facilitated ankylosis procedure?

A

-involves resection of the joint
-goal is to remove as much cartilage as possible while sparing unaffected structures
-diminish ROM in the joint without placing hardware
-drill, lavage, and antibiotics are used to remove cartilage between P2 and P3 and clear infection from the joint

25
Q

What are the characteristics of the modified abaxial approach to facilitated ankylosis?

A

-most common; used when palmar/plantar aspect is not infected
-hoof wall fenestration
-3/4” x 3/4” square made just dorsal to abaxial groove
-allows exposition of distal sesamoid bone

26
Q

What are the characteristics of the bulbar approach to facilitated ankylosis?

A

-vertical incision made over heel bulb
-necrotic DDFT and distal sesamoid bone are removed
-cartilage removed with 1/2” drill bit

27
Q

What are the aftercare steps for facilitated ankylosis?

A

-flushing of wound with weak povidone iodine daily for 5 to 7 days
-regional limb perfusion
-possible penrose drain
-pain management with NSAIDs and/or opioids
-claw block on opposite claw
-foot cast to prevent motion

28
Q

What is the prognosis for DIP septic arthritis with facilitated ankylosis?

A

-the 3 to 4 weeks after procedure will be very challenging
-25% of patients will not make a recovery

29
Q

What are the possible origins of digital tenosynovitis?

A

-sole ulcer
-white line dz

30
Q

What is the presentation of digital tenosynovitis?

A

-swelling of distal portion of limb
-non-weightbearing lameness
-pain upon palpation

31
Q

What are the imaging modalities used to diagnose digital tenosynovitis?

A

-radiography
-ultrasonography

32
Q

What are the treatment steps for digital tenosynovitis?

A

-establish drainage
-resection of affected tendon

33
Q

What happens when the infection cannot be controlled in digital tenosynovitis?

A

-persistence of lameness
-presence of exuberant granulation tissue

34
Q

What is the prognosis for digital tenosynovitis?

A

treatment can provide cow with 1 additional repro. cycle

35
Q

What are the characteristics of interdigital hyperplasia?

A

-acanthosis of interdigital skin
-increased amount of stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum of the epidermis
-associated with interdigital dermatitis, foot rot, and heredity
-more common in heavy animals

36
Q

Why is surgical resection the only true treatment option for corn removal?

A

cryosurgery and electrocautery do not work well

37
Q

Why should surgical resection of corns be reserved for problem-causing lesions when possible?

A

removal of corns simply for cosmetic reasons creates a potential for sepsis while providing no benefit to the cow

38
Q

What are the common pathologies that affect the ligaments and tendons?

A

-flexural limb deformities
-spastic paresis
-trauma (rare)

39
Q

What are the characteristics of flexural limb deformities?

A

-most common ligament/tendon defect
-painful due to the strain on tendons
-want to sedate animals and try to manipulate affected joints as part of exam
-typically seen in larger calves that grow really fast
-etiology unknown

40
Q

How can the angle between the hoof and the floor be useful in determining treatment options for flexural limb deformities?

A

-if the angle between the point of the toe and the ground is less than 90 degrees, medical management can be tried first; move on to surgery if no improvement in 10 days
-animals with angles of 90 degrees or greater between the point of the toe and the ground will need surgery; medical management will not be sufficient

41
Q

What are the components of medical management for flexural limb deformities?

A

-manage pain
-attempt elongation of the toe with splints

42
Q

What is the surgical management for flexural limb deformity?

A

tenotomy; can cut SDF first and then cut DDF if needed or cut both at same time

43
Q

What is important regarding splints in flexural limb deformity cases?

A

the feet must touch the ground to allow the animal to bear weight on the tendons

44
Q

What are the characteristics of spastic paralysis?

A

-legs are completely extended
-genetic tibial nerve issue
-can do a tenectomy or neurectomy

45
Q

What are the characteristics of osteochondrosis?

A

-rare
-seen in growing animals
-predisposing factors include high energy/protein diets, low calcium, inheritance, and hard flooring
-clinical signs include joint distention and progressive reluctance to ambulate
-stifle and tarsus are predisposed

46
Q

What are the characteristics of osteochondrosis treatment?

A

-conservative treatment takes 1 to 3 months and has a guarded prognosis
-surgical treatment via arthroscopy can be done, especially if animal has value

47
Q

What are the characteristics of angular limb deformity?

A

-rare
-dysfunction of growth plate
-occurs secondary to fracture

48
Q

What are the treatment options for angular limb deformity?

A

-stall rest
-periosteal elevation
-transphyseal bridge
-ostectomy
-osteotomy and external skeletal fixation