FINGER BONE - Veterinary orthopedics

FINGER BONE LEFT

Hoof bone fractures can be closed and open when the integrity of the skin or even of the horn capsule is compromised. They can be longitudinal, transverse, longitudinal-lateral along the fracture line, etc. Often fractures of the hoof bone occur in young milking cows, as well as in animals that receive excess amounts of fluorine with feed or water. Fractures are also possible in osteomyelitis of the hoof bone, caused by deep pododermatitis or laminitis.

Etiology. The causes are falling animals, jamming hoofs in the crevices of the floor, sudden movements on hard ground, jumping animals on top of each other during sexual hunting, etc.

Predisposing factors are osteomalacia, purulent arthritis of the claw joint and deformation of the hooves.

Pathogenesis. In fractures of the claw bone, the purulent inflammatory edema of the base of the skin is limited to a stubborn horny capsule that prevents the increase in the volume of inflamed tissue, squeezes it and thus causes the development of necrotic processes. With open fractures, the pathological process is usually complicated by a purulent infection.

Clinical signs. In fractures of the hoof bone, a sudden lameness of the resting limb suddenly appears. The animal does not rely on the limb, it lies more.

If the outer claw is damaged, the animal tries to push the limb to the side and forward, i.e., to transfer the weight of the body to the inner claw, and if the internal claw is damaged - to the outer claw.

It is noted that with injuries to the hoofs of both thoracic limbs, a characteristic X-shaped pattern is observed.

Local research notes an increase in topics -

Perature, increased pulsation of blood in the finger arteries. Examination with test forceps, percussion with a hammer, as well as passive flexion of the joint cause a strong pain reaction. During the puncture of the joint with intra-articular fractures, there is a synovia with an admixture of blood.

Forecast for fractures of the hoof bone of one finger is favorable. Even with open, comminuted fractures after the third phalanx exarticulation, after 20 ... 30 days the animal recovers.

Diagnostics. Determine the fracture by clinical signs and refine by radiography in two projections (lateral and anterior).

Fractures should be differentiated from cracks bone, acute laminitis and interdigital necrobacteriosis, injuries to the soles of foreign bodies. Therefore, close external clinical examination (detect wounds) and radiography make it possible to exclude pathological processes similar in some clinical features in the area of ​​hooves.

Treatment. An animal is provided with peace and provided with a soft, dry litter. With closed fractures during the day, it is necessary to apply cold procedures. Then perform an orthopedic shoe, attaching the horseshoe to a healthy hoof. After a few weeks with a favorable course of healing, the process of ossification occurs in the fracture zone, lameness disappears; the animal recovers, the cows recover their milk productivity.

With open fractures, the third phalanx is exarchified under conductor anesthesia with the application of a hemostatic tourniquet. Carefully remove all bone fragments, then apply an antiseptic bandage with sulfanilamide preparations and antibiotics and conduct a course of antiseptic therapy.

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