Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Disruption of the caudal component of the reciprocal apparatus in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Shoemaker, R S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two horses became suddenly lame after falling during intense exercise, and they were found to have a serious injury affecting a part of their leg's movement system. The main sign of their problem was lameness in the right back leg, where the hock (ankle) was bent while the stifle (knee) was straightened. X-rays showed that one horse had a fracture in the lower part of the thigh bone, and both horses had damage to muscles that help with leg movement. They were treated with rest, keeping the leg still, and medication for pain. One horse fully recovered, while the other got worse and had to be put to sleep.
Abstract
Two horses became acutely lame following a fall during strenuous exercise and were diagnosed as having disruption of the caudal component of the reciprocal apparatus. Clinical signs consisted of lameness of the right pelvic limb, characterized by flexion of the hock and simultaneous extension of the stifle. Radiography revealed an avulsion fracture from the supracondylar tuberosity and fossa of the distal portion of the femur in one horse. Clinical and radiographic findings indicated avulsion of the lateral origin of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles. Treatment consisted of stall rest, limb immobilization, and phenylbutazone administration. One horse recovered to soundness and the other deteriorated and was euthanatized.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1995567/