Knee ligament bent

[garnetann]

I was asked to bottle feed and PT a 4 day old calf. She is healthy, eats and poops well. Her front leg was bent at about 90 degree angle when the owner found her. She was calved out on her own, so don't know if her leg was bent back in utero or not. Owner said she got colostrum and was doing fine, just cannot stand. Her front leg was 90 degrees when we got her a week ago, with no pressure, it is about 115 degrees when hanging on its own. Stretched, we can get a lot of stretch, and the ligament is tight, and her rear foot on the same side is contracted. We have a sling for her and can get her up for feedings and to stretch the leg and foot. We are making progress on the leg, it is about 130 degrees now stretched. We cannot splint it until we can get it straighter. Is there any tips or tricks on stretching that leg? Like constant pressure, how long, how many times a day? leg picture is contracted knee, calf picture is the good side, she is a happy little thing, tries to get up on her knees.

 

[wbvs58]

I normally don't advocate any casting or strapping for contracted tendons in calves as they usually come right with just a bit of confinement with their mother. This seems a bit extreme and maybe something like a Thomas splint may be adapted to allow constant traction on the carpal joint with strapping tightened daily. Something a little heavier than fencing wire would be needed. Here is a video of one for a dog to give you a bit of a start to think about it.


Ken

 

[Cjackson5351]

I was asked to bottle feed and PT a 4 day old calf. She is healthy, eats and poops well. Her front leg was bent at about 90 degree angle when the owner found her. She was calved out on her own, so don't know if her leg was bent back in utero or not. Owner said she got colostrum and was doing fine, just cannot stand. Her front leg was 90 degrees when we got her a week ago, with no pressure, it is about 115 degrees when hanging on its own. Stretched, we can get a lot of stretch, and the ligament is tight, and her rear foot on the same side is contracted. We have a sling for her and can get her up for feedings and to stretch the leg and foot. We are making progress on the leg, it is about 130 degrees now stretched. We cannot splint it until we can get it straighter. Is there any tips or tricks on stretching that leg? Like constant pressure, how long, how many times a day? leg picture is contracted knee, calf picture is the good side, she is a happy little thing, tries to get up on her knees.

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I have a calf with the same exact condition. I'm trying to find a way to splint his too. Any luck?

 

[garnetann]

I have a calf with the same exact condition. I'm trying to find a way to splint his too. Any luck?

not yet, just stretching it several times a day. going to splint the rear foot on the same side that is knuckling. She wants to stand, just cannot get balanced

 

[garnetann]

I have a calf with the same exact condition. I'm trying to find a way to splint his too. Any luck?

 

[garnetann]