Front Matter

326 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

The approach and removal disturbs the joint
capsule, cruciate ligaments, and intersesamoid­
ean ligaments, as well as the medial and lateral
ligaments, resulting in instability of the joint
(Mathews et al., 2001). In nonresponsive cases,
one author (DD) has used fluoroscope‐guided
steroid or biological therapies injections with
good success.

Digit injuries

Cause

Digit injuries include fractures, luxations, and
ligamentous injuries. The true incidence of
these injures as well as the outcome is unknown
(Kapatkin et al., 2012). It is suspected that many
digit injuries are a result of trauma; however,
ligamentous injuries can be due to excessive

work over time. Digit fractures can occur dur­

ing a sharp turn when the toes are in an other­

wise fixed position, stepping in a hole, and

knocking the digits on hard surfaces (rocks, tree

stumps, etc.) during training or competition.

Ligamentous injuries can occur during fast

sharp turns on uneven or slippery terrain. The

toes are often splayed out to gain as much trac­

tion as possible. In these situations, the toe can

experience significant torque at an unnatural

angle resulting in damage to the collateral

ligaments.

Diagnosis

Patients with digit injuries will commonly have

a severe weight‐bearing to non‐weight‐bearing

lameness. With acute injuries, significant swell­

ing may be noted with pain and crepitus on

manipulation of the digit. With chronic liga­

mentous injuries, there may be swelling at the

site of injury as well as pain on manipulation. It

is important to pay close attention to the web­

bing of the digits for any evidence of penetrat­

ing trauma or evidence of an open fracture

especially on the palmar surface. Radiographs

are the mainstay for determining the presence

of digit fractures (Figure 12.37), luxations, and

degree of soft tissue swelling. If a fracture or

Figure 12.36 Plate fixation of multiple metacarpal
fractures involving both primary weight‐bearing bones
(metacarpals III and IV). This patient was stabilized with
surgery using a 1.1 mm plating system. Source: Image
courtesy of Dr. Simon Roe.

Figure 12.37 Radiograph of a Doberman Pinscher with

a long oblique fracture of thoracic limb digit V P2. Note

the soft tissue swelling surrounding the fracture.