The Importance of Physical
Examinations of Lateral Short Collateral Ligament Ruptures of the
Tarsal Joint in the Cocker Spaniel
JM Kim, H Kim, SW Jang, SH
Choi1 and IS Jeong*
Department of Veterinary
Surgery, Royal Animal Medical Center, Seoul, 131-878, Republic of
Korea; 1Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National
University, Cheongju, 361-763, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding author: jung4545@korea.com
Abstract
A five-year-old female
cocker spaniel was presented with left hind limb intermittent lameness after
sliding one week earlier. There was no deviation of the right tarsal joint
during extension and flexion of it upon a physical examination. However, there
was mild pain and deviation medially on the left tarsal joint when the left
tarsal joint flexed. Mild swelling of the left tarsal joint was detected upon a
radiographic examination. Diagnosis was rupture of the lateral short collateral
ligament (calcaneofibular ligament) of the left tarsal joint according to a
physical examination. Surgical treatment was undertaken to reconstruct the
lateral short collateral ligament using screws, washers and heavy suture
material. The dog resumed a normal gait at nine weeks after surgery.