title: Treatment of rupture of suspensory ligament and superficial flexor tendon in a bull.
abstract: Rupture of the suspensory ligament at the insertions on the proximal sesamoid bones, and of the superficial flexor tendon of the left fore limb, occurred in an adult Angus bull as a result of fighting. There was severe hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint with the dewclaws almost touching the ground. Radiographs revealed severe hyperextension of the MCP joint with the sesamoid bones aligned directly distal to the metacarpus. Initially, a full length fiberglass cast was applied with the limb partially flexed within the cast and the heels elevated. The cast was replaced twice. The cast was removed after 136 days and the bull was bearing full weight on the limb. Prolonged immobilisation of the limb produced new bone in the area (a normal response in cattle) to cause ankylosis of the traumatized MCP joint and partial ankylosis of the carpus. The bull was being used for pasture breeding one year after the injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kneller
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D007103:Immobilization; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012421:Rupture / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*