Knuckling: a common condition in animals

Pashu Sandesh, 01 September 2023

Ankit Dangi*1 and Devika Dangi2

1. Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, International Institute of Veterinary Education & Research, Rohtak
2. Animal Nutrition, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hisar

It is a flexural limb deformity also known as contracted tendons, which is the inability to extend a limb fully. The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or acquired later in life. It is most often witnessed in newborn calves and foals. This is the most common musculoskeletal anomaly in newborn calves. Because flexural malformations can involve more than one structure, it is more realistic to address them in terms of the joints involved rather than the tendons and ligaments. The most prevalent form of congenital limb deformity in cattle is the metacarpophalangeal flexural deformities (MPFD) of the forelimbs, but the carpal and coffin joints are also vulnerable. Multiple joints may be involved in severe congenital cases, but just one joint is often affected.

ETIOLOGY 

1. Improper positioning in the uterus.
2. Abnormal fetal development. 
3. Disease or malnutrition in the dam.
4. Nutrition- Abrupt change in amount or quality causing rapid growth.
5. Polyarthritis
6. Trauma

CLINICAL SIGNS

1. Inability to maintain natural limb extension.
2. Joints only partially or never reached the usual extension.
3. The angular range of motion of affected joints is reduced.
4. Difficulty in locomotion.
5. Abrasions and swelling on the affected joint due to constant trauma if touching the ground while moving.

TREATMENT

1. Get the Radiological examination done by a veterinary radiologist.
2. Application of splint cast over the affected limb to keep it straight. 
3. Surgically - tendon transection or tendon elongation.
4. In fetlock knuckling, tenotomies were performed on the medial and lateral sides of the joint after a superficial flexor tendon incision and firmly extending the fetlock joint. The skin was apposed with a sterile nylon suture.

POSTOPERATIVE CARE

1. Antibiotics and NSAIDS
2. Antiseptic dressing in case of surgical intervention for 7 days
3. Soft bedding 
4. Keep away from other animals to avoid trauma
5. Avoid wetting of the plaster cast
6. Nutritional care