Joint mice migration into the deep digital flexor tendon sheath in dogs

C. Post; T. Guerrero; S. Ohlerth; M. Hässig; K. Voss; P. M. Montavon

doi:10.3415/VCOT-07-07-0068

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21(05): 440-445
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-07-07-0068

Clinical Communication

Schattauer GmbH

Joint mice migration into the deep digital flexor tendon sheath in dogs

Clinical cases and anatomical study

C. Post

¹Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

,

T. Guerrero

¹Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

,

S. Ohlerth

²Section of Diagnostic Imaging and Radio-Oncology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

,

M. Hässig

³Institute for Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

,

K. Voss

¹Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

,

P. M. Montavon

¹Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

This study describes the appearance of ‘joint mice’ in the sheath of the deep digital flexor muscle tendon (DDFT) due to osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions in the talocrural joint of 12 dogs. Surgical excision of all free fragments in the DDFT sheath was performed in five dogs, and their clinical progression was documented. The excision of free fragments from the DDFT sheath, but not arthro-tomy, proved clinically beneficial despite the presence of degenerative joint disease. The anatomical communication between the talocrural joint and the DDFT sheath and its dimensions are further illustrated with the use of contrast media and dissection of cadaver limbs.

Keywords

OCD - joint mice - deep digital flexor muscle - talocrural joint - dog

Full Text

References

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