Tendon Lacerations

Question 1

What are some common causes of tendon lacerations?

Answer 1

• Trauma, overloading, infection

Question 2

What tendons are commonly lacerated on the fore limb? Hind limb?

Answer 2

Forelimb – common digital extensor, lateral digital extensor tendons, severance between fetlock and carpus

Hind limb – long digital extensor tendon, lateral digital extensor tendon, severance below hock

Question 3

Where does flexor tendon laceration typically occur?

Answer 3

• Between carpus/ hock and fetlock

Question 4

How can you diagnose tendon laceration?

Answer 4

• PE
• Radiology
• US
• Tenoscopy –> allows viewing of the tendon sheath

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of tendon lacerations?

Answer 5

• Lameness

Question 6

What happens when the superficial digital flexor ruptures? Deep digital flexor? Both SDF and DDF? SDF/DDF/suspensory?

Answer 6

SDF - fetlock drops
DDF - toe lifts, fetlock stays put
SDF/DDF - fetlock drops, toe lifts
SDF/ DDF/ Suspensory - fetlock falls to the ground, toe raises

Question 7

Which claw usually grows abnormally in the cow? What does this lead to?

Answer 7

• The lateral claw –> it cuts open the digit allowing bacteria to infect the bone, specifically the insertion of the deep digital flexor
• Treat by debriding and cleaning the room

Question 8

How can you treat tendon lacerations?

Answer 8

• Corrective shoeing
• Bandage
• Cast
• Surgery

Question 9

What must you have on the foot in order to place a block?

Answer 9

• The digit must be healthy

Question 10

How can you fix extensor tendons? Flexor tendons?

Answer 10

• Extensor tendons can be fixed by placing sutures
• Flexor tendons are more difficult due to how much weight they bear and the cellular orientation of the fibers
• Use a locking loop

Question 11

What type of needle do you need to fix a tendon?

Answer 11

• You need a suture with two straight needles, one on each end