Small animal MSK diseases 5 Flashcards
What results would be expected on serum biochemistry in a case of extraocular myositis?
CK usually normal
Outline the expected findings on orbital sonography/MRI in a case of extraocular myositis
- Swollen extraocular muscles
- Used to eliminate retrobulbar abscess as a differential
Outline the findings on biopsy of affected muscle in a case of extraocular myositis
Lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate, gives definitive diagnosis
Outline the treatment of extraocular myositis
- Oral pred 1-2mg/kg SID (generally gives rapid and complete recovery)
- Continue treatment for 4-6 weeks minimum
- If relapse during tapering, add imuran or cyclosporin
Discuss the prognosis for extraocular myositis
Good prognosis for permanent recovery with proper therapy
List common diseases of the canine shoulder joint
- Soft tissue injuries
- Biceps tendon injuries e.g. biceps tendonitis
- Osteochondrosis
- Infraspinatous contracture
- Fracture of scapula or proximal humerus
- Osteoarthritis
List soft tissues that may be damaged in the shoulder joint
- Medial and lateral glenohumeral ligament (collateral ligaments)
- Subscapularis tendon
- Muscles adhering to joint capsule e. g. infraspinatous
Outline the clinical signs of soft tissue injuries of the shoulder in dogs
- Usually medium-large breeds
- May lead to instability
- Increased abduction angles
- Cranial drawer may be present
What abduction angle indicates medial glenohumeral ligament damage?
> 45degrees
Outline the diagnosis of soft tissue injuries of the shoulder in dogs
- Difficult
- Arthroscopy possible, allows assessment of all structures within joint capsule
- Assessment of abduction angles and cranial drawer under GA
List the treatment options for soft tissue injuries of the shoulder in dogs
- No treatment found to be long lasting
- Conservative: months
- Surgical imbrication or reinforcement possible (debated)
- Diathermy of medial aspect of joint capsule
- Rest and NSAIDs as required, gradual reintroduction of exercise as well as physio/hydrotherapy
Outline the diagnosis of biceps tendon injury in small animals
- Biceps test: pain on shoulder flexion with elbow extension
- During flexion, place fingers on medial aspect of greater tubercle to identify pain
- With complete rupture are able to extend elbow and shoulder to greater extent than normal due to lack of support from tendon
- Arthroscopy allows identification easily
Where is biceps tendon injury normal located in small animals?
Usually partial tear at insertion on supraglenoid tubercle of capsule
Outline the treatment options for biceps tendon injury in small animals
- Conservative: prolonged rest + NSAIDs
- Intra-articular corticosteroid injection
- Surgical release of biceps tendon at insertion if badly torn +/- re-attachment to proximal humerus with screw and spiked washer (tenodesis)
Describe the typical signalment for osteochondrosis in dogs
- Young (6-10mo)
- Medium to large breed dogs
- Esp. border collies
Describe the clinical signs of osteochondrosis in dogs
Clear pain on shoulder manipulation, esp. flexion
What site is predisposed to osteochondrosis in dogs?
Caudal humeral head articulating surface
Outline the diagnosis of osteochondrosis in dogs
- Radiography: subchondral lucency (caudal aspect of glenoid tuberosity may appear flattened)
- Arthrogram: highlights flap, may indicate cartilage damage
- Arthroscopy: direct visualisation of flap
Outline the treatment options for osteochondrosis in dogs
- Surgical removal of flap (arthrotomy or arthroscopy, break into pieces and remove)
- Conservative if not very lame
- Gentle exercise to gradually remove flap naturally (but can form joint mass, but rarely causes problem and comes sound)
Discuss the prognosis for osteochondrosis in dogs
- Good to excellent
- Esp. if <12mo
- Elbows and stifles poor
- Hocks very bad
- Shoulder generally good prognosis
Describe the clinical signs of mineralisation of forelimb muscles in small animals
- May be incidental finding
- May be associated with FL lameness and pain on firm palpation of region
- Commonly in supraspinatus and infraspinatus (bicipital groove)
Outline the treatment options for muscle mineralisation in the FL of small animals
- Conservative management (rest)
- Surgical excision possible (controversial)
Describe the typical signs of infraspinatus contracture in a dog
- Flexed elbow with external rotation of limb
- Working dogs, repetitive trauma
Outline the treatment of infraspinatus contracture in dogs
- Surgical sectioning of the tendon
- Leads to instant improvement, good long term prognosis
List the common diseases of the elbow joint in dogs
- Elbow dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Elbow fractures
What are the main underlying disorders in elbow dysplasia in dogs?
- Fragmented medial coronoid process
- Osteochondrosis dissecans
- Ununited anconeal process
- Fragmented medial epicondyle
- Tendon enthesiopathy (bony exostosis in tendon)
Describe the characteristic appearance of elbow dysplasia
- Abducted FLs
- Externally rotated
- Do not take full pressure on limb
List the factors that contribute to the development of elbow dysplasia
- Genetic make up
- Growth rate
- Diet (high calcium)
- Exercise
Outline the possible treatment for elbow incongruity resulting from a short ulna, that may lead to elbow dysplasia
- Short ulna leads to anconeus coming up against caudal aspect of humeral condyles, leading to abnormal pressure on joint
- Cut ulna (ulnar osteotomy) to bring into alignment and reduce incongruity
- Several months required to heal
Which individuals are predisposed to fragmentation of the medial coronoid process?
- Large breeds e.g. Rotties, Bernese mountain dog, Newfoundland, Staffies, retrievers
- Males > females
Describe the clinical signs of FMCP in dogs
- Signs usually 4-7mo
- variable FL lameness, worse after rest, pain on rotation of antebrachium
- Elbow flexion and rotation of antebrachium
- Elbow joint effusion caudally, on trochlear ridge, adjacent to ulna
- Outward rotation and abduction when standing
Describe the pathology seen with FMCP in dogs
- Fissure/fragmentation of craniolateral part of MCP
- Single fragment with attachments to annular ligament usually
- +/- thickened cartilage, gross step between cranial border of articular surface of ulna and radius, eburnation resulting in “kissing lesion” on opposing humeral articular surface
Discuss the treatment options for FMCP in dogs
- Conservative and surgical possible, but DJD progresses with both
- Most treated conservatively initially, surgical if insufficient (rest, NSAIDs, neutraceuticals)
- Surgical: arthrotomy/scopy to remove fragment, or proximal ulnar osteotomy to remove abnormal stresses on coronoid, or sliding humeral osteotomy to reduce pressure on fragmented coronoid and allow healing
Which breeds are predisposed to OCD underlying elbow dysplasia?
Newfoundlands and retrievers
Outline the clinical signs of osteochondrosis dissecans underlying elbow dysplasia
- Onset 4-7mo
- Same as for FMCP
- Bilateral in 50-90% of cases
Discuss the aetiology of OCD underlying elbow dysplasia
- Cause unsure
- Increased incidence with increased energy intake (+/- increased Ca/P)
- Growth rate
- Birthweight
Discuss the management of OCD underlying elbow dysplasia
- Conservative: rest, analgesia, neutraceuticals, balanced diet
- Surgical: removal of flap, debride subchondral bone, blood and mesenchymal stem cell precursors encourage healing by fibrocartilage
Which breeds are predisposed to an ununited anconeal process?
GSD and Bassett Hounds
Describe the clinical signs of ununited anconeal process
- Onset 4-12mo
- Lameness, pain on elbow manipulation, crepitus
- Joint effusion
- Bilateral lameness in 11-47% of cases
Briefly outline the pathophysiology of an ununited anconeal process
- Anconeal process is secondary centre of ossification, usually fuses by 120days
- Failure to fuse after 20 weeks is abnormal, AP remains detached
- Distal aspect of anconeus comes up against caudal aspect of humerus, leads to repeated trauma, no fusion, leads to breakage