Small Animal Distal Limb Flashcards
Label
A. Metacarpus (3 parts). Base of bone
B. Body of metacarpus
C. Head of metacarpus
D. Proximal phalanx (p1)
E. Middle phalanx (P2)
F. Distal phalanx (P3)
G. Metacarpal phalangeal joint
H. Proximal interphalangeal joint
I. Distal inter interphalangeal joint
Label
A. Common digital extensor
B. Dorsal elastic ligament
C. Deep digital flexor (insert P3)
D. Superficial digital flexor (insert P2)
E. Proximal sesamoid bones (2 per joint)
F. Dorsal sesamoid bones
What can go wrong in the metacarpal/metatarsus region? Highlight the most common
- Bones
- Fractured metacarpi/metatarsi
- Hypertrophic osteopathy (see previous lecture)
- MCP/MTP joint
- Osteoarthritis
- Luxations (single/multiple) – NB often concurrent multiple sesamoid ligament failures
- Sesamoid disease
- Fractured sesamoids (esp racing greyhounds)
- Sesamoid disease of young dogs
- Bipartite/tripartite sesamoids
- Soft tissue
- Traumatic injury
- Damage to tendons +/or blood vessels
- Traumatic injury
What is the issue here?
Metacrapal/tarsal shaft fractures
What are the 2 occassions we treat metacarpal/metatarsal shaft fractures surgically?
- Pronounced displacement, esp dorsally
- More than 2 metacarpal fractures (except racing greyhound)
Other than surgery how can we treat Metacarpal/metatarsal shaft fractures?
Splinted bandage, monitor radiographs
What joint is unstable withh a metacarpal/metatarsal distal condylar fractures and why?
Instability of MCP/MTP joint, as collateral ligament attachments affected
How do we treat metacarpal/metatarsal distal condylar fractures?
–Ideally treat with internal fixation and external support
•Closed reduction and external casting often à instability or poor intra-articular alignment of fragments à DJD
Who does sesamoid disease affect the most?
Young dog, especially rottweilers
Which bones are affected with sesamoid disease?
Sesamoids 2 or 7
What is the sign of sesamoid disease?
-Loss of flexion of MCPJ/MTPJ with pain, effusion
How do we diagnose sesamoid disease?
Exclusion of other problems +/- nerve blocks
How can we treat sesamoid disease?
NSAID, neutraceutical, physio
What are the signs of diease of the bipartite/tripartite sesamoids?
-Loss of flexion; swelling but no pain. Incidental finding. No treatment.
How can we treat traumatic damage causing haemorrhage of the distal limb?
- Pressure
- Surgical exploration/ligation if necessary
How do we treat tendon damage of the distal foot caused by trauma?
Bandage foot in slight flexion or cast in flexion to reduce tension on repair
How do we NOT!!!!!!!! cast a tendon damaged foot?
In extenstion
What are the 4 things which affect digits of the foot? Highlight the most common
- Fractures
- Luxations/subluxations
- Osteoarthritis (common)
- Osteomyelitis
How can we treat fractures of shaft P1/P2?
–Closed reduction and external support (unless performance animal)
•Moulded plastic splint for 3-6 weeks.
How can we treat fractures of head/base of phalanges?
–Best treated with internal fixation and external support
–If fragments too small may require amputation (distal to #)
Where do you amputate for a P3 fracture?
Level of P2
What does this show?
Fracture of base of P2
Which digits can undergo luxaton/subluxation and which is more common?
P1/P2
P2/P3 - most common
Where are luxations/subluxations common?
Racing greyhounds
How do you treat luxations/subluxations of of p1-p3?
Intricate surgical repair
Name 4 inidcations for digit amputation (5)
–Neoplasia
–Chronic infection
–Osteomyelitis
–Severe trauma
–Biopsy P3
What are the 2 occassions digit amputation results in amputation?
–>2 digits
–Either of central 2 digits (avoid the removal of these)
If you only remove P3, what do you need to preserve?
Digital pad
What are the steps to digit amputation?
- Dorsal skin incision
- Extend laterally either side of digit
- Ligate digital vessels and transect tendons/ligaments/joint capsules
- Disarticulate and scrape articular cartilage, or transect phalanx with bone-cutters. Transect is thought to be better
- Appose s/c tissues over bone ends (interrupted absorbable sutures)
- Appose skin with simple interrupted sutures
- Bandage – change ev 2-3 days till stitches out
What conditions affect the digit soft tissue? (Highlight the most common)
- Cellulitis – esp cat bite abscess
- Tendon damage
–DDFT
–SDFT
- Ligament damage – see ‘Luxations/subluxations’ above
- Gangrene
What is gangrene?
–Ischaemia then Necrosis due to inadequate blood supply