Arthroscopy in food animal practice

Bovine Lameness from the Ground up

Lameness in bulls is a common problem seen by many veterinarians, and the cause can be difficult to determine. Understanding cattle lameness requires experience and complete knowledge of their structural anatomy and handling. This article reviews the common body regions that cause lameness in bulls and discusses their treatment. It also details hoof trimming as a way to manage lameness.

The use of infrared thermography in the early diagnosis of septic arthritis in calves

The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of thermographic examination of calves with septic arthritis with other diagnostic techniques such as synovial fluid analysis, radiography, ultrasonography and arthroscopy. Thirteen affected joints from eleven calves were used for the trial. The noninfected joints of the trial calves were used as negative controls. Thermography findings showed that heat from 100% of the affected joints was significantly increased. Subchondral osteolysis and new periosteal bone proliferation of articular bones and widening of the intra-articular joint spaces was observed in 10 joints (76.9%) using radiography. Ultrasound examination of all affected joints showed increased effusion with moderate homogeneous echoic structure. Arthroscopic examination showed synovitis and erosion of cartilage in 61.5% and osteophytic formation in 30.7% of affected joints. All diagnostic methods could be used to diagnose joint disease but it was found that thermographic examination in calves with septic arthritis is an easy convenient method to make an earlier diagnosis, which improves treatment success rates.

Arthroscopic approaches to and anatomy of the shoulder joint of cattle: a cadaver study

Background

Arthroscopic surgery is described as a minimally invasive technique for diagnosis, exploration and treatment of joint disorders. It allows intraarticular structures to be assessed accurately, thereby improving the diagnostic capabilities, and it broadens the spectrum of surgical techniques feasible for treatment of articular pathologies in cattle.

This study aimed to assess for cattle the described arthroscopic approaches to the shoulder joint of horses, and to describe the appearance of the corresponding intraarticular structures of the shoulder joint. Additionally, to perform histological examination where tissues were identified and assessed arthroscopically, but the tissue type was uncertain using cadaveric limbs from cattle of different age categories without any signs of orthopedic diseases of the front limbs.

Results

An anatomic and arthroscopic investigation with 34-cadaveric forelimbs from 20-cattle was performed. The arthroscope was inserted either immediately cranial or 1-cm caudal to the tendon of the infraspinatus muscle for the cranial and caudal approaches, respectively. The shoulder joints were examined with the limbs in either horizontal non-pulled position, abducted non-pulled position using a three-pod limb holder adjustable in height, or horizontal manually pulled position. Arthroscopy was performed using a rigid 30°arthroscope (18-cm length, 4-mm outer diameter) to view the synovial pouches with their synovial villi and the following structures: cranial rim of the glenoid, cranial portion of the humeral head, incisura-glenoidalis, caudal rim of the glenoid, caudal portion of the humeral head, and cranial and caudal cul-de-sac. Abduction of the limb allowed improved visualization of the lateral portion of the joint. Pulling the limb facilitated investigation of the medial portion of the joint. Generally, the distention range was higher in younger as compared to adult cattle, and visualization of the medial portion of the joint was, therefore, facilitated in younger animals. The main complications observed were subcutaneous fluid extravasations and partial-thickness articular cartilages wear-lines.

Conclusion

The described arthroscopic techniques allowed good overall visualization of the most relevant anatomical structures within the healthy cadaveric joint. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of these techniques and the prognosis of arthroscopic surgery as a tool for the treatment of joint lesions.

Incidence and characteristics of juvenile tarsocrural osteochondrosis in purebred Angus bulls

Osteochondrosis (OC) of the bovine tarsus has been suggested to contribute to osteoarthritis. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to provide data specific to the Angus breed. Clinical and radiographic exams evaluating OC lesions, effusion and osteoarthritis were performed in 50 purebred bull calves at three time points between 5.8 and 21 months of age. The likelihood of OC was lower at a median age of 12.4 months (P<0.001), primarily due to resolution of distal talus changes (P<0.01). Significant associations were observed between medial malleolus lesions and effusion at median age of 7.4 months (P<0.001). This study suggests that clinical and radiographic screening performed at approximately one year of age may be beneficial in detecting tarsal OC lesions in Angus breeding herds.

Arthroscopic approach and intra-articular anatomy of the dorsal and plantar synovial compartments of the bovine tarsocrural joint

OBJECTIVE

To determine arthroscopic approaches to the dorsal and plantar synovial compartments of the tarsocrural joint in adult cattle, and to describe the arthroscopic intra-articular anatomy from each approach.

STUDY DESIGN

Ex vivo study.

ANIMALS

Fresh adult bovine cadavers (n = 7).

METHODS

Two tarsocrural joint were injected with latex to determine arthroscopic portal locations and arthroscopy of the tarsocrural joint of 12 tarsi was performed. The dorsolateral approach was made through the large pouch located between the long digital extensor and peroneus longus tendons. The dorsomedial approach was made just medial to the common synovial sheath of the tibialis cranialis, peroneus tertius, and long digital extensor tendons. The plantarolateral and plantaromedial approaches were made lateral and medial to the tarsal tendon sheath, respectively.

RESULTS

Each approach allowed visualization of the distal tibia articulating with the proximal trochlea of the talus. Consistently observed structures included the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia, and the medial and lateral trochlear ridges and trochlear groove of the talus. Lateral and medial malleoli were best assessed from dorsal approaches. From the lateral approaches evaluation of the abaxial surface of the lateral trochlear ridge allowed visualization of the fibulocalcaneal joint. From the plantar approaches additional observed structures included the coracoid process of the calcaneus, plantar trochlea of the talus, and plantar talotibial and talofibular ligaments.

CONCLUSION

In cattle, the dorsolateral and plantarolateral approaches allowed for the best evaluation of the dorsal and plantar aspects of the tarsocrural joint, respectively.

Dorsal Arthroscopic Approach and Intra-Articular Anatomy of the Bovine Antebrachiocarpal and Middle Carpal Joints

OBJECTIVE

To determine arthroscopic approaches to the dorsal synovial compartments of the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints in adult cattle, and to describe the arthroscopic intra-articular anatomy from each approach.

STUDY DESIGN

Ex vivo study.

ANIMALS

Six fresh adult bovine cadavers.

METHODS

Two carpi were injected with latex and dissected to determine the ideal location for arthroscopic portals. Arthroscopy of the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints of 10 carpi was then performed. The dorsolateral approach was made between the extensor carpi radialis and common digital extensor tendons. The dorsomedial approach was made medial to the extensor carpi radialis tendon, midway between the distal radius and proximal row of carpal bones (antebrachiocarpal joint) and midway between the two rows of carpal bones (middle carpal joint), with the joint in flexion.

RESULTS

Arthroscopy of the antebrachiocarpal joint allowed visualization of the distal radius, proximal aspect of the radial, intermediate and ulnar carpal bones, and a palmar ligament located between the radius and the intermediate carpal bone. The approach to the middle carpal joint allowed visualization of the distal aspect of the radial, intermediate, and ulnar carpal bones, the proximal aspect of the fourth and fused second and third carpal bones and an interosseous ligament. The most lateral articular structures (lateral glenoid cavity of the distal radius, ulnar carpal and fourth carpal bones) were difficult to assess.

CONCLUSION

Dorsal approaches to the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal joints allowed visualization of most intra-articular dorsal structures in adult cattle.

Systematic arthroscopic investigation of the bovine stifle joint

The objective of the present study was to establish a protocol for arthroscopic exploration of the bovine stifle joint using craniomedial, caudolateral and caudomedial approaches. An anatomic and arthroscopic study using 26 cadaveric limbs from 13 non-lame adult dairy cows was performed. The craniomedial approach was created between the middle and medial patellar ligaments to investigate the cranial pouches of the stifle joint. The inter-condylar eminence, the proximal aspect of the medial femoral trochlear ridge and the lateral aspect of the lateral femoral condyle were used as starting points for systematic examination of the medial femorotibial, the femoropatellar and the lateral femorotibial joints, respectively. The observed structures were: the suprapatellar pouch, articular surfaces of the patella, femoral trochlear ridges, cruciate ligaments, menisci, and the meniscotibial ligaments. The arthroscopic portal for the caudomedial femorotibial pouch was about 6-8 cm caudal to the medial collateral ligament. The proximal and distal caudolateral femorotibial pouches were explored 3 cm and 1.5 cm caudal to the ipsilateral collateral ligament, respectively. The observed structures were the caudal aspect of femoral condyles, menisci, caudal cruciate ligament, popliteal tendon and the meniscofemoral ligament. Restricted joint size and risk of common peroneal nerve damage were the major limitations for exploration of the caudal femorotibial compartments. The study described the arthroscopic portals and normal intra-articular anatomy of the bovine stifle joint but further investigations are warranted to validate these techniques in clinical cases.

Arthroscopy in cattle: technique and normal anatomy

Arthroscopy has all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery in cattle. Specialized equipment and knowledge of normal joint anatomy of cattle are mandatory for successful arthroscopy. The surgical technique is different in cattle compared with the horse. Thick skin and joint capsules complicate movement of the arthroscope within the joints. In cattle, septic arthritis and osteochondrosis are the most frequent disorders suitable for arthroscopic treatment.

Osteochondrosis in cattle

Osteochondrosis is a poorly understood condition that affects many species, including cattle. Its incidence is not fully appreciated in the cattle industry for many reasons. Most of the reports show a male, purebred predilection, but this may simply be a result of the typical population for which medical attention is sought. With the increasing value of female breeding stock, a less skewed distribution of the disease will most likely result. Distribution of lesions is similar to that in the horse, with the stifle and tarsus most commonly affected. Treatment is divided into medical and surgical options, but neither seem to be strikingly effective as of yet. Surgical techniques include arthroscopy and arthrotomy, and both have their complicating factors. How osteochondrosis as a disease will affect the cattle industry is still to be decided. If the incidence rate does increase with more animals being valued for their economic potential, then treatment options will surely be reevaluated and refined.