Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with both front shoulder muscle contractures causing lameness
By Franch, J et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2009·Surgery Dept. Veterinary School, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Simultaneous bilateral contracture of the infraspinatus muscle.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Belgian Shepherd was brought in for worsening lameness in both front legs after overexertion three months earlier. The dog had trouble walking, with both forelimbs swinging out to the side, and showed muscle wasting in the shoulders. An ultrasound revealed damage to the infraspinatus muscles, leading to a diagnosis of fibrotic contracture, which restricts movement. The vet performed surgery to remove the affected tendons, and the dog made a full recovery, confirmed during a follow-up ten months later.
People also search for: Belgian Shepherd forelimb lameness · dog shoulder muscle contracture treatment · dog surgery recovery time
Abstract
A case of bilateral fibrotic contracture of the infraspinatus muscles in a five-year-old Belgian Shepherd dog is described. The dog was presented with progressive forelimb lameness with postural and gait abnormalities three months after an episode of overexertion. When walking, the lower part of both forelimbs swung in a lateral arc causing a circumduction movement and in the standing position, the dog showed elbow adduction with external rotation of the distal part of both front limbs. Orthopaedic examination revealed bilateral atrophy of both infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles and restriction in the range of motion of both shoulders, especially when attempting abduction and flexion. No specific findings were observed in the shoulder or elbow radiographs but hyperechogenic areas were evident in the ultrasonographic examination of both infraspinatus muscles. A diagnosis of fibrotic contracture of both infraspinatus muscles was established and bilateral tenectomy of the insertion tendons of the infraspinatus muscles was performed. Complete recovery of the animal was achieved after the surgery, which was confirmed in a long-term follow-up (10 months). In conclusion, physical examination and ultrasonography allowed a proper diagnosis of the condition, and tenectomy of the infraspinatus muscles resulted in a complete recovery of the patient even with bilateral involvement.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19448877/