title: [Resection of the distal/proximal interphalangeal joint and digit amputation in 21 breeding bulls--indications, clinical findings and longterm outcome].
abstract: Case records of 21 breeding bulls suffering from advanced septic claw disorders and treated with resection of the distal interphalangeal (= DIP) joint (n = 14), resection of the proximal interphalangeal joint (n = 1) and digit amputation (n = 6) were evaluated retrospectively (1992-2005) regarding the following parameters: breed, age, body mass, pre-treatment, localisation of disease, lameness degree, diagnosis, surgical method, outcome, postoperative survival time and return to breeding use. The mean age of the bulls was 3.6+/-1.7 years and the mean body mass 840.7 + 200.8 kg; range: 500-1200 kg), Surgery was carried out to treat the following conditions: white line infection (n = 9), sole ulcers (n = 5) with osteolysis of the distal sesamoid bone, the tuberculum flexorium, infection of the deep digital flexor tendon at insertion and the DIP-joint; osteomyelitis of the distal and middle phalanx with septic arthritis of the DIP-joint following deep penetrating wounds (n = 3); open fracture of the coffin bone with severe osteolysis/osteomyelitis and septic fibrino-purulent arthritis of the DIP-joint (n = 2); purulent arthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint after a penetrating wound (n = 1) and a severe osteolysis/osteomyelitis of the coffin bone originating from a toe ulcer (n = 1). Three bulls were culled within 2-12 weeks after surgery due to postsurgical complications. In three bulls which were treated successfully six years ago, long-term follow-up information could not be obtained. Complete recovery was considered in 15 bulls. They returned to full breeding use three to four months after surgery, with a mean postoperative survival time of 24.1 months:21.2 months after joint resection and 27.2 months after amputation. At the time of this survey three bulls were still alive with 4,7 and 84 months after surgery, respectively. Both surgical methods were successful in breeding bulls, the resection of the distal interphalangeal joint is recommended as first option.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Orthopädie bei Huf- und Klauentieren, Klinisches Department für Kleintiere und Pferde,Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Osterreich. johann.Kofler@vu-wein.ac.at
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feist
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Starke
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nuss
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000601:surgery*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome