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Septic Arthritis of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in Cattle: Comparison of Digital Amputation and Joint Resection by Solar Approach
Author(s) -
STARKE A.,
HEPPELMANN M.,
BEYERBACH M.,
REHAGE J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2007.00257.x
Subject(s) - medicine , septic arthritis , amputation , joint (building) , distal interphalangeal joint , interphalangeal joint , resection , arthritis , surgery , engineering , architectural engineering
Objective— To determine in cattle with septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint (SADIJ) the efficacy of resection of the distal interphalangeal joint (JRES) as a digit salvage technique compared with digital amputation (DAMP). Study Design— Prospective, randomized clinical study. Animals— German Holstein–Friesian dairy cattle with SADIJ of 1 hind limb (n=52). Methods— SADIJ diagnosis was based on clinical examination and radiography. Cows were randomly assigned with owner consent to DAMP (n=26) or JRES (n=26). After JRES, a wooden block was fixed to the partner claw in combination with a tipping claw prophylaxis. Results— After surgery, degree of lameness improved significantly faster after DAMP than after JRES. New claw diseases in the opposite limb occurred more frequently after JRES (n=6) than after DAMP (n=1). New claw defects developed in the partner claw on the operated limb in 6 cows after DAMP compared with 1 after JRES. Tipping claw was observed in 50% of JRES cows at day 180. Mean life span between groups was not significantly different (DAMP=13.5 months, JRES=10.9 months). Conclusion— Higher surgical and postsurgical expenditures for JRES were not counterbalanced by a longer productive life; however, frequent disease of the partner claw of cows after DAMP should be considered a critical point, as this generally leads to culling. Clinical Relevance— The higher expenditure for JRES can be justified only for young, valuable cattle.