Bilateral dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation in an alpaca

CASE DESCRIPTION A 14-month-old female alpaca presented with a 3-week history of acute left hind limb lameness and swelling of the left tarsal region. CLINICAL FINDINGS Radiography revealed intermittent dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME In an attempt to stabilize the talus, screws were placed in the distomedial aspect of the talus and the plantaromedial aspect of the central tarsal bone, and a stainless-steel wire was placed around the screws in a figure-eight pattern. The screw head of the proximal screw broke within 4 weeks after surgery, but subluxation did not recur, and the lameness resolved. Seven months later, the same condition was diagnosed in the opposite hind limb and was treated similarly. Implants remained intact on this side, but the animal started to show signs of pain and inability to flex the tarsal joint, prompting removal of the distal screw. Subsequently, the animal became sound and produced 2 healthy crias, but was euthanatized 4 years after the second surgery because of coccidiosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation is a sporadic condition in New World camelids. This report provides the first account of successful treatment by surgical stabilization of the medial aspect of the proximal intertarsal joint.

The Influence of snow properties on speed and gait choice in the Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea)

Substrate supportiveness is linked to the metabolic cost of locomotion, as it influences the depth to which the foot of a moving animal will sink. As track depth increases animals typically reduce their speed to minimise any potential energetic imbalance. Here we examine how self-selected speed in the Svalbard rock ptarmigan is affected by snow supportiveness and subsequent footprint depth measured using thin-blade penetrometry and 3D photogrammetry, respectively. Our findings indicate that snow supportiveness and footprint depth are poor predictors of speed (r2 = 0.149) and stride length (r2 = 0.106). The ptarmigan in our study rarely sunk to depths beyond the intertarsal joint, regardless of the speed, suggesting that at this relatively shallow depth any increased cost is manageable. 3D reconstructions also indicate that the ptarmigan may exploit the compressive nature of snow to generate thrust during stance, as a trend towards greater foot rotations in deeper footprints was found. It remains unclear if the Svalbard ptarmigan are deliberately avoiding unsupportive snowy substrates. However, if they do, these results would be consistent with the idea that animals should choose routes that minimise energy costs of locomotion. Resumen La firmeza del sustrato se asocial al costo metabólico de la locomoción ya que influencia cuán profundo las extremidades de un animal se hunden al moverse. A medida hundimiento aumenta, usualmente los animales reducen su velocidad para minimizar potenciales desbalances energéticos. En este estudio examinamos cómo la velocidad de la perdiz de la roca de Svalbard es afectada por la firmeza del sustrato y la profundidad de hundimiento de sus patas, usando penetrometría y fotogrametría 3D, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados indican que la firmeza de la nieve y la profundidad de hundimiento de las patas no son buenos predictores de la velocidad (r2 = 0.149) y de la longitud de la zancada (r2 = 0.106). La profundidad de las huellas de las perdices de nuestro estudio rara vez sobrepasó la altura de la articulación intertarsal, independientemente de la velocidad de locomoción, sugiriendo que a profundidades relativamente menores los costos energéticos son manejables. Las reconstrucciones 3D también indican que las perdices podrían aprovechar la naturaleza compresiva de la nieve para generar suficiente empuje durante la fase de soporte, ya que se encontró una tendencia hacia mayores rotaciones de la pata en huellas más profundas. Es incierto si las perdices de Svalbard deliberadamente evitan áreas con nieve más blanda. Sin embargo, si lo hacen, estos resultados serían consistentes con la idea de que los animales deberían seleccionar rutas que minimizan los gastos energéticos en locomoción.

Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath with Tarsal Bones and Intertarsal Joint Invasion: A Case Report

The giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a benign lesion most commonly attached to the tendons and bones of the fingers, hands, and wrists. The involvement of GCTTS to the foot is uncommon. The GCTTS invading tarsal bones and intertarsal joints is not described yet, and the appropriate diagnosis and treatment remain unclear. We report a case of GCTTS with the involvement of tarsal bones and intertarsal joint. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging were used to further diagnose and evaluate the quality and range of tumor. The patient was treated with surgical excision of the tumor without application of bone graft. After adequate clearance of the tumor, the patient returned to an asymptomatic walk in 3 months. No malfunction, fracture, or tumor recurrence was found in 2-years follow-up. This report includes clinical, radiologic, histologic diagnostic, and surgical challenges in an unexpected lesion and a review of the literature.

Equine Review

Introduction: This edition of Equine Review looks at the value of continuous per rectum fluid infusion, treatment of dorsal spinous process impingement by interspinous ligament desmotomy, and the use of radiographic monitoring to improve accuracy of needle placement into the distal intertarsal joint.

Arthrographic Study of the Communication between the Tarsal Joints in Crioulo Horses

Objective The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses. Materials and Methods Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment. Contrast was injected in the distal intertarsal joint and radiographs were taken at two different times - Time 0 (after contrast application) and Time 1 (45 seconds after) to detect any communication between tarsal joints. The recorded results were analysed through chi-squared test. Results Thirty out of three hundred tarsi were excluded from the experiment since the radiographic images showed loss of the distal intertarsal joint space. Positive contrast was injected in distal intertarsal joint of 70/100 tarsi. There was not any contrast overflow in the 30/70 assessed tarsi. Contrast diffused to the tarsometatarsal joint in 32/70 of the assessed tarsi and reached tarsocrural joints in 8/70 tarsi. The adopted arthrographic technique was effective in data collection and evaluation; however, 52/70 of tarsi showed contrast overflow to the bursa of the cunean tendon. Clinical significance The communication between tarsocrural and distal tarsal joints in Crioulo horses was significantly higher, and this finding emphasizes the importance of performing contrasted arthrography before getting to a final diagnostic and defining therapeutic procedures.

Effects of speed on pheasant gaits and hindlimb joint angles

When studying the gait of pheasants, an intermittent-flight bird, it is necessary to take into account changes in the gaits and hindlimb joint angles resulting from increases of speed. In this study, pheasant locomotion postures were recorded on a speed-variable treadmill with high-speed cameras. Firstly, kinematic analysis showed that the stride cycle of pheasants decreased and the stride length increased with increasing speed. The duty factor also decreased, but was less than 0.5 in only about 10% of measurements. Thus, pheasants are more inclined to choose the grounded running or walking gait in laboratory situations. Secondly, changes in the tarsometatarso-phalangeal joint angle and the intertarsal joint angle at touch-down, mid-stance and lift-off concomitant with speed variation were studied. Tarsometatarso-phalangeal joint angle was found not to be significantly affected by changes in speed, but changed over larger ranges than the intertarsal joint angle. Thirdly, the continuous changes in the joint angles were studied during a complete stride cycle. The curves shifted leftward with increasing speed. Finally, the changes at four main positions were analyzed with increasing speed.