Front Matter

Chapter 12 Disorders of the Canine Thoracic Limb: Diagnosis and Treatment 301

Treatment

In acute and subacute infraspinatus tendinopa­
thies, rehabilitation including therapeutic
ultrasound and stretching may help prevent
contracture by maintaining the length and flex­
ibility of the affected tissues.
Surgical release is required in mature con­
tractures. Tenotomy of the tendon of insertion
with release of capsular adhesions is most com­
monly performed. Complete transection of the
infraspinatus tendon with partial tenectomy is
required to restore motion in the affected limb
and most often proves curative, with an imme­
diate release of contracture and return to func­
tion of the shoulder joint (Slatter, 1985; Carberry
& Gilmore, 1986; O’Neill & Innes, 2004).
This  treatment carries an excellent prognosis
(Carberry & Gilmore, 1986; Slatter, 1985).
Adhesions of the infraspinatus tendon to the
joint capsule are commonly found and once
dissected away seldom cause further issues
(Carberry & Gilmore, 1986; Pettit et  al., 1978).
Rehabilitation therapy is started prior to suture
removal to prevent the formation of further
adhesions (Carberry & Gilmore, 1986).

Biceps tendinopathy

Biceps tendinopathy (BT) was once thought to
be the most common shoulder condition seen in
performance dogs. However, through the use of
advanced diagnostics and improved palpation
techniques, the biceps tendon is often found to
be a secondary finding (i.e., impingement and

compression from a supraspinatus tendon

nodule or referred elbow pain at the point of

insertion).

When BT is the primary diagnosis, it most

often involves the biceps brachii muscle and

its tendon where it crosses the shoulder joint

(Figure 12.7). The actions of the biceps are

elbow flexion, shoulder extension, and stabili­

zation of the shoulder during standing

and  the  weight‐bearing phase of locomotion

(Evans, 1993).

Figure 12.6 Dog with severe contracture of the infraspinatus tendon.

Scapula Supraspinatus

muscle

Medial

glenohumeral

ligament

Joint capsule

Biceps

brachii

tendon

Biceps

brachii

muscle

Figure 12.7 Anatomy of the canine shoulder. Source:

Illustration by Marcia Schlehr.