title: Augmented Repair of an Achilles Tendon Rupture Using the Flexor Digitorum Lateralis Tendon in a Toy Poodle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report appositional augmentation of Achilles tendon rupture in a toy breed dog with an intact flexor digitorum lateralis (FDL) muscle tendon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-year-old spayed female Toy Poodle with Achilles tendon rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Achilles tendon was accidentally ruptured by hair clippers during grooming. The dog demonstrated a plantigrade stance without digital flexion of the right hind limb. The ruptured gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor tendons were sutured to their respective cut ends using a simple locking loop pattern under a surgical microscope. The repair site was appositionally augmented by the caudally retracted intact FDL. An aluminum splint was applied on the plantar aspect to immobilize the tarsal joint for the first 2 weeks, after which a soft bandage was applied for another 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 7 month follow-up no lameness was detected during walking and no complications associated with decreased FDL function such as digital contracture were observed. The range of motion of the tarsal joint had improved and could be flexed to ∼60° and extended fully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the FDL is feasible for augmenting Achilles tendon repair in toy breed dogs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Small Animal Surgery, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, Japan. masaaki@iwate-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katayama
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*