Musculoskeletal disorders and orthopaedics

Compensatory load redistribution in Labrador retrievers when carrying different weights – a non-randomized prospective trial

Retrievers are dogs particularly bred to retrieve birds or other small game, for the retrieval, the dogs are typically sent to the place where the shot game has fallen or to search the field for the wounded bu...

Authors: Barbara Bockstahler, Alexander Tichy and Patricia Aigner

Clinicopathological findings in horses with a bi- or tripartite navicular bone

Navicular bone partition is a rare condition reported in horses, which is during the evaluation of a lameness or prepurchase examination often misinterpreted for a parasagittal fracture. In this report, the cl...

Authors: Ellen J. van der Zaag, Erik A. W. S. Weerts, Antoon J. M. van den Belt and Willem Back

Inflammatory response to the administration of mesenchymal stem cells in an equine experimental model: effect of autologous, and single and repeat doses of pooled allogeneic cells in healthy joints

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has become a promising therapeutic choice for musculoskeletal injuries. Joint-related disorders are highly prevalent in horses. Therefore, these animals are consid...

Authors: N. Ardanaz, F. J. Vázquez, A. Romero, A. R. Remacha, L. Barrachina, A. Sanz, B. Ranera, A. Vitoria, J. Albareda, M. Prades, P. Zaragoza, I. Martín-Burriel and C. Rodellar

A longitudinal study on the performance of in vivo methods to determine the osteochondrotic status of young pigs

In today’s porcine industry, lameness has a major welfare and economic impact, and is often caused by osteochondrosis (OC). The etiological factors of the disease have been studied in depth, however, to this d...

Authors: Christian P. Bertholle, Ellen Meijer, Willem Back, Arjan Stegeman, P. René van Weeren and Arie van Nes

A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study on intra-articular hyaluronan treatment in equine lameness originating from the metacarpophalangeal joint

Intra-articular inflammation resulting in lameness is a common health problem in horses. Exogenous intra-articular hyaluronic acid has been shown to provide an analgesic effect and reduce pain in equine and hu...

Authors: Tytti M. Niemelä, Riitta-Mari Tulamo and Anna K. Hielm-Björkman

Surgical treatment of traumatic eventration with polyester button and polypropylene mesh to strengthen the suture technique in equine

Defects in the abdominal wall of horses have high relapse rate. This is mainly in lateral eventrations and hernias caused by trauma from kicks of other horses or installation structures. The eventration region...

Authors: Carla Faria Orlandini, Denis Steiner, André Giarola Boscarato, Gabriel Coelho Gimenes and Luiz Romulo Alberton

Biomechanical evaluation of monosegmental pedicle instrumentation in a calf spine model and the role of fractured vertebrae in screw stability

Monsegmental pedicle instrumentation (MSPI) has been used to treat thoracolumbar fractures. However, there are few reports about the biomechanical characteristics of MSPI compared with traditional short-segmen...

Authors: Fuxin Wei, Zhiyu Zhou, Le Wang, Shaoyu Liu, Rui Zhong, Xizhe Liu, Shangbin Cui, Ximin Pan, Manman Gao and Yajing Zhao

Subchondral bone density distribution of the talus in clinically normal Labrador Retrievers

Bones continually adapt their morphology to their load bearing function. At the level of the subchondral bone, the density distribution is highly correlated with the loading distribution of the joint. Therefor...

Authors: W. Dingemanse, M. Müller-Gerbl, I. Jonkers, J. Vander Sloten, H. van Bree and I. Gielen

Cosmetic tail docking: an overview of abuse and report of an interesting case

This paper presents an overview of the global controversies surrounding cosmetic tail docking in puppies, some observed inconsistent practices among dog breeders and Veterinarians in West Africa, and the need ...

Authors: Oghenemega David Eyarefe and Cecilia O. Oguntoye

Kinetic, kinematic, magnetic resonance and owner evaluation of dogs before and after the amputation of a hind limb

The amputation of a limb is a surgical procedure that is regularly performed in small animal practice. In spite of several clinical reports indicating high owner satisfaction after limb amputation in dogs, an ...

Authors: Vladimir Galindo-Zamora, Verena von Babo, Nina Eberle, Daniela Betz, Ingo Nolte and Patrick Wefstaedt

Inflammatory profiles in canine intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disease is a common spinal disorder in dogs and degeneration and inflammation are significant components of the pathological cascade. Only limited studies have studied the cytokine an...

Authors: Nicole Willems, Anna R. Tellegen, Niklas Bergknut, Laura B. Creemers, Jeannette Wolfswinkel, Christian Freudigmann, Karin Benz, Guy C. M. Grinwis, Marianna A. Tryfonidou and Björn P. Meij

Cranial morphology in the brachygnathic sheep

Craniofacial morphology of sheep with phenotypically observed mandibular distocclusion was analysed using the multivariate techniques principle component analysis and cluster analysis in order to test whether ...

Authors: T. Eriksen, M. Ganter, O. Distl and C. Staszyk

Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head

The anatomical complexity of the horse’s head limits the abilities of radiography. Computed tomography (CT) in combination with contrast enhanced CT is used more often for diagnosing various head pathology in ...

Authors: Casper P. Crijns, Yseult Baeumlin, Lieve De Rycke, Bart J.G. Broeckx, Lieven Vlaminck, Erik H. J. Bergman, Henri van Bree and Ingrid Gielen

Kinetic and temporospatial gait parameters in a heterogeneous group of dogs

A prime concern of the gait analysis in a heterogeneous group of dogs is the potential influence of factors such as individual body size, body mass, type of gait, and velocity. Thus, this study aimed to evalua...

Authors: Washington T. Kano, Sheila C. Rahal, Felipe S. Agostinho, Luciane R. Mesquita, Rogerio R. Santos, Frederico O. B. Monteiro, Maira S. Castilho and Alessandra Melchert

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with concurrent aplasia of the pericardium in a foal

In veterinary medicine congenital abnormalities of the diaphragm and pericardium are rare, idiopathic malformations, being reported mainly in dogs. This report documents an unusual case of developmental defect...

Authors: Alexandru-Flaviu Tăbăran, Andras Laszlo Nagy, Cornel Cătoi, Iancu Morar, Alexandra Tăbăran, Marian Mihaiu and Pompei Bolfa

Pedicle screw-rod fixation: a feasible treatment for dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is a common problem in large breed dogs. For severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, conservative treatment is often not effective and surgical intervention remains as the l...

Authors: Anna R. Tellegen, Nicole Willems, Marianna A. Tryfonidou and Björn P. Meij

A preliminary study of the effect of closed incision management with negative pressure wound therapy over high-risk incisions

Certain postoperative wounds are recognised to be associated with more complications than others and may be termed high-risk. Wound healing can be particularly challenging following high-energy trauma where wo...

Authors: Karen L. Perry, Lynda Rutherford, David M. R. Sajik and Mieghan Bruce

Advances in the anatomic study of the interscapular region of the cat

New clinical oriented approaches are supported by the integration of advanced imaging techniques, e.g. computed tomography and magnetic resonance, with gross anatomy imaging. The interscapular region of the ca...

Authors: Maurizio Longo, Silvia Clotilde Modina, Andrea Bellotti and Mauro Di Giancamillo

Assessment of medial coronoid disease in 180 canine lame elbow joints: a sensitivity and specificity comparison of radiographic, computed tomographic and arthroscopic findings

Diagnostic imaging is essential to assess the lame patient; lesions of the elbow joint have traditionally been evaluated radiographically, however computed tomography (CT) has been suggested as a useful techni...

Authors: A. Villamonte-Chevalier, H. van Bree, BJG Broeckx, W. Dingemanse, M. Soler, B. Van Ryssen and I. Gielen

Validity and practical utility of accelerometry for the measurement of in-hand physical activity in horses

Accelerometers are valid, practical and reliable tools for the measurement of habitual physical activity (PA). Quantification of PA in horses is desirable for use in research and clinical settings. The objecti...

Authors: R. Morrison, D. G. M. Sutton, C. Ramsoy, N. Hunter-Blair, J. Carnwath, E. Horsfield and P. S. Yam

Magnetic resonance imaging study in a normal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) stifle joint

The purpose of this study was to describe the normal appearance of the bony and soft tissue structures of the stifle joint of a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) by low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and th...

Authors: Alberto Arencibia, Mario Encinoso, José R. Jáber, Daniel Morales, Diego Blanco, Alejandro Artiles and José M. Vázquez

Kinematic analysis of forelimb and hind limb joints in clinically healthy sheep

Variations associated with sex, age, velocity, breed and body geometry should be considered in the determination of kinematic parameters for a gait considered normal.

Authors: Luis G Faria, Sheila C Rahal, Felipe S Agostinho, Bruno W Minto, Lídia M Matsubara, Washington T Kano, Maira S Castilho and Luciane R Mesquita

Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses: review of 12 cases (2002-2012) and post-mortem analysis of the bone-ligament interface

Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds. The objectives of this study were to review the out...

Authors: Harold Brommer, Margreet Voermans, Stefanie Veraa, Antoon JM van den Belt, Annette van der Toorn, Margreet Ploeg, Andrea Gröne and Willem Back

Long-term functional outcome after surgical repair of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a very common cause of pelvic limb lameness in dogs. Few studies, using objective and validated outcome evaluation methods, have been published to evaluate long-term ...

Authors: Sari H Mölsä, Heli K Hyytiäinen,, Anna K Hielm-Björkman and Outi M Laitinen-Vapaavuori

A comparison of ground reaction forces during level and cross-slope walking in Labrador Retrievers

Inclined or slippery surfaces and various other types of obstacles are common demands in our environment. Dogs with impaired locomotion might have difficulties to manage rough terrain. Gait analyses using forc...

Authors: Therese Strasser, Christian Peham and Barbara A Bockstahler

Evaluation of sixty-eight cases of fracture stabilisation by external hybrid fixation and a proposal for hybrid construct classification

Hybrid external fixation (HEF) is an emerging technique for fracture stabilization in veterinary orthopedics, but its use has been reported in few papers in the veterinary literature. The linear and circular e...

Authors: María Jiménez-Heras, Gian Luca Rovesti, Gianluca Nocco, Massimo Barilli, Paolo Bogoni, Emilio Salas-Herreros, Matteo Armato, Francesco Collivignarelli, Federico Vegni and Jesus Rodríguez-Quiros

Effects of free-range and confined housing on joint health in a herd of fattening pigs

Free-range housing, in which pigs have access to both indoor and outdoor areas, is mandatory in organic pig production in Europe, but little is known about the effects of this housing on joint health in pigs. ...

Authors: Pernille Engelsen Etterlin, Bjørnar Ytrehus, Nils Lundeheim, Eva Heldmer, Julia Österberg and Stina Ekman

Consequences of the natural course of articular osteochondrosis in pigs for the suitability of computed tomography as a screening tool

A significant heritability has been documented for articular osteochondrosis. Selection against osteochondrosis has historically been based on macroscopic evaluation, but as computed tomography (CT) now is use...

Authors: Kristin Olstad, Jørgen Kongsro, Eli Grindflek and Nils I Dolvik

Pressure mat analysis of naturally occurring lameness in young pigs after weaning

Lameness is a common problem in modern swine husbandry. It causes welfare problems in affected pigs as well as financial problems for farmers. To minimize these negative consequences of lameness, new treatment...

Authors: Ellen Meijer, Maarten Oosterlinck, Arie van Nes, Willem Back and Franz Josef van der Staay

Ultrasonography of the distal limbs in Nellore and Girolando calves 8 to 12 months of age

Ultrasonography can be used anywhere and allows rapid, noninvasive differentiation of soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system. The objectives of this study were to describe the ultrasonographic ap...

Authors: Pryscilla VR Gonçalves, Luiz AF Silva, Luiz H Silva, Ana Paula A Costa, Nathalia Bragato, Julio R Cardoso, Johann Kofler and Naida C Borges

Evaluation of vertical forces in the pads of Pitbulls with cranial cruciate ligament rupture

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is one of the most important stifle injuries and a common cause of lameness in dogs. Our objective was to measure the vertical forces in the pads of Pitbulls with crani...

Authors: Alexandre Navarro Alves Souza, Angelica Cecilia Tatarunas and Julia Maria Matera

Pressure mat analysis of the longitudinal development of pig locomotion in growing pigs after weaning

Gait evaluation is difficult in pigs, especially when objective and quantitative data are needed, thus little research has been conducted in this species. There is considerable experience, however, with object...

Authors: Ellen Meijer, Christian P Bertholle, Maarten Oosterlinck, Franz Josef van der Staay, Willem Back and Arie van Nes

Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in a population of harness Standardbred racehorses in training

There is a substantial paucity of studies concerning musculoskeletal injuries in harness Standardbred racehorses. Specifically, little is known about the epidemiology of exercise-related musculoskeletal injuri...

Authors: Andrea Bertuglia, Michela Bullone, Federica Rossotto and Mauro Gasparini

Does a placebo effect really occur in dogs afflicted by hip osteoarthritis as measured by force platform gait analysis?

A recent study investigated the therapeutic response of dogs afflicted by hip osteoarthritis when evaluating therapeutic modalities compared to a negative (placebo) control group. Authors suggested a placebo e...

Authors: Maxim Moreau, Bertrand Lussier, Jean-Pierre Pelletier and Eric Troncy

Erratum to: Chondrocyte density, proteoglycan content and gene expressions from native cartilage are species specific and not dependent on cartilage thickness: a comparative analysis between rat, rabbit and goat

Authors: Norazian Kamisan, Sangeetha Vasudevaraj Naveen, Raja Elina Ahmad and Tunku Kamarul

Effect of plate working length on plate stiffness and cyclic fatigue life in a cadaveric femoral fracture gap model stabilized with a 12-hole 2.4 mm locking compression plate

There are several factors that can affect the fatigue life of a bone plate, including the mechanical properties of the plate and the complexity of the fracture. The position of the screws can influence constru...

Authors: Peini Chao, Bryan P Conrad, Daniel D Lewis, MaryBeth Horodyski and Antonio Pozzi

Chondrocyte density, proteoglycan content and gene expressions from native cartilage are species specific and not dependent on cartilage thickness: a comparative analysis between rat, rabbit and goat

In many pre-clinical studies of cartilage tissue, it has been generally assumed that the major difference of the tissue between the species is the tissue thickness, which is related to the size of the animal i...

Authors: Norazian Kamisan, Sangeetha Vasudevaraj Naveen, Raja Elina Ahmad and Kamarul Tunku