title: Avulsion of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle in a cat.
abstract: A 7-year-old male, castrated, domestic shorthair cat was presented with a plantigrade stance of the left pelvic limb. An avulsion of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle was diagnosed based on clinical examination and radiographic assessment. Surgical reduction and fixation were achieved with modified locking loop sutures through bone tunnels in the supracondylar tuberosity of the distal femur. Additionally, a temporary calcaneotibial positional screw was placed in order to neutralise forces on the gastrocnemius muscle. No postoperative complications were encountered and the cat made a full recovery.
authors.affiliation: Fachtierarzt für Kleintiere, Tierärztliche Klinik, Stommeln, Nettegasse 122, 50259 Pulheim, Germany. montybali@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Monty S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary; D006614:Hindlimb; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000662:veterinary