Upper Limb Lameness in Cattle

General Clinical Overview

- Epidemiology: This form of lameness is more common in beef cattle than in dairy cattle.
- Diagnostic Difficulty: Identifying the cause of upper leg lameness is significantly more difficult than lower limb cases.
- Ancillary Testing: Diagnosis typically requires advanced tools such as radiography and ultrasonography.
- Prognosis: Overall prognosis is generally poor, meaning surgical intervention is usually reserved for valuable breeding or show animals.
- Primary Care: Conservative treatment (rest and NSAIDs) is the standard approach; if unresponsive, euthanasia or culling is recommended.

Hock (Tarsus) and Knee (Carpus) Injuries:

- Pathogenesis: These injuries result from friction and repeated rubbing on hard, abrasive, or wet surfaces in resting areas.
- Risk Factors: Highly associated with confined dairy housing, suboptimal stall design, and insufficient bedding.
- Clinical Presentation: Ranges from hair loss and scabs to severe swelling and open wounds with purulent discharge.
- Prevention and Care: Improving cow comfort is essential; animals should be moved to deeply bedded, non-abrasive lying areas.

Stifle Injuries:

- Anatomical Targets: Commonly involves the cruciate ligaments, the meniscus, or the patella.
- Pathogenesis: Typically results from traumatic events like slipping, falling, or mounting.
- Specific Diagnostic Signs:
  - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury: Identified by a clicking sound and a cranial drawer sign.

- - Patellar Luxation: The animal is unable to extend the stifle.
  - Upward Fixation of the Patella: Results in a locked, extended limb.
- Management: Treatment is typically conservative (confinement and prolonged NSAIDs), as prognosis is generally guarded to poor.

Hip Injuries:

- Common Conditions: Coxofemoral luxation (craniodorsal or cranioventral) and fractures of the tuber coxae or femoral head.
- Clinical Signs: Luxations may present as a "dropped-hip" appearance or cause the animal to become "down".
- Management:
  - Prevention: Focus on secure footing and avoiding aggressive handling.
  - Treatment: Successful recovery is more favorable in younger animals; conservative treatment may work if initiated within 48 hours.

Joint Diseases:

- Noninfectious Disease: Includes osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis; these are infrequently diagnosed in cattle.
- Septic Arthritis:
  - Cause: Microorganisms entering the joint via sepsis (e.g., navel ill) or penetrating wounds.
  - Signs: Severe, acute pain with joints that are swollen, warm, and painful to the touch.
  - Treatment: Requires managing both the infection and pain through joint lavage and extended antimicrobial/NSAID administration.

Muscular Ruptures:

- Gastrocnemius Tear: The animal is unable to rise, and the hock touches the ground when they attempt to stand.
- Fibularis Tertius Tear: The animal can flex the stifle while the hock remains fully extended.
- Outcome: Treatment for gastrocnemius tears is generally unrewarding, making euthanasia the most common course of action.

Upper Limb Lameness in Cattle

General Clinical Overview

Epidemiology: This form of lameness is more common in beef cattle than in dairy cattle.

Diagnostic Difficulty: Identifying the cause of upper leg lameness is significantly more difficult than lower limb cases.

Ancillary Testing: Diagnosis typically requires advanced tools such as radiography and ultrasonography.

Prognosis: Overall prognosis is generally poor, meaning surgical intervention is usually reserved for valuable breeding or show animals.

Primary Care: Conservative treatment (rest and NSAIDs) is the standard approach; if unresponsive, euthanasia or culling is recommended.

Hock (Tarsus) and Knee (Carpus) Injuries:

Pathogenesis: These injuries result from friction and repeated rubbing on hard, abrasive, or wet surfaces in resting areas.

Risk Factors: Highly associated with confined dairy housing, suboptimal stall design, and insufficient bedding.

Clinical Presentation: Ranges from hair loss and scabs to severe swelling and open wounds with purulent discharge.

Prevention and Care: Improving cow comfort is essential; animals should be moved to deeply bedded, non-abrasive lying areas.

Stifle Injuries:

Anatomical Targets: Commonly involves the cruciate ligaments, the meniscus, or the patella.

Pathogenesis: Typically results from traumatic events like slipping, falling, or mounting.

Specific Diagnostic Signs:

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury: Identified by a clicking sound and a cranial drawer sign.

Patellar Luxation: The animal is unable to extend the stifle.

Upward Fixation of the Patella: Results in a locked, extended limb.

Management: Treatment is typically conservative (confinement and prolonged NSAIDs), as prognosis is generally guarded to poor.

Hip Injuries:

Common Conditions: Coxofemoral luxation (craniodorsal or cranioventral) and fractures of the tuber coxae or femoral head.

Clinical Signs: Luxations may present as a "dropped-hip" appearance or cause the animal to become "down".

Management:

Prevention: Focus on secure footing and avoiding aggressive handling.

Treatment: Successful recovery is more favorable in younger animals; conservative treatment may work if initiated within 48 hours.

Joint Diseases:

Noninfectious Disease: Includes osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis; these are infrequently diagnosed in cattle.

Septic Arthritis:

Cause: Microorganisms entering the joint via sepsis (e.g., navel ill) or penetrating wounds.

Signs: Severe, acute pain with joints that are swollen, warm, and painful to the touch.

Treatment: Requires managing both the infection and pain through joint lavage and extended antimicrobial/NSAID administration.

Muscular Ruptures:

Gastrocnemius Tear: The animal is unable to rise, and the hock touches the ground when they attempt to stand.

Fibularis Tertius Tear: The animal can flex the stifle while the hock remains fully extended.

Outcome: Treatment for gastrocnemius tears is generally unrewarding, making euthanasia the most common course of action.