896 SPRAIN OF THE CORONARY JOINT. 



fetlock-joint. Limitation in the movement of the joint is shown 

 by Lameness, and by the upright position of the pastern. Inflam- 

 mation of the ligament often extends to the bones, producing exostoses 

 on the os suffraginis or os coronae. 



The synovia] membrane may also be affected, causing distension 

 of the cavity of the joint with inflammatory exudate (hydrops 

 ..it iculi). In other cases blood may pass into the joint (haemarthrosis), 

 producing on movement a peculiar sound which has been likened 

 to that made by squeezing snow in the hands ("snowball sound"). 



Siedamgrotzky noticed in horses three cases of rupture of the 

 lateral ligament of the hind fetlock, which recovered in three to 

 eight weeks. 



Percival made some anatomical researches on the production of 

 articular diseases, and found the fetlock-joint anchylosed in five 

 cases, the coronet-joint in forty cases, and the pedal-joint in sixteen 

 cases. When implicating the coronet-joint, the condition is termed 

 ring-bone (see section on that disease). 



The rare occurrence of sprains in the fetlock-joint must be referred 

 to the form of its articular surfaces which acts as an effective check 

 on movement. Of the lower joints, the coronet suffers more 

 frequently. 



Prognosis depends on the extent and duration of injury. The 

 degree of pain is generally a fair criterion of the mischief, though 

 the early appearance of inflammation is more significant. The 

 immediate pain which accompanies " treads " is of less importance 

 than that due to strains. Although in the former cases pain may be 

 so severe as to cause sweating and loss of appetite, it disappears 

 almost as rapidly as its sets in, provided no grave complication 

 arise. The delayed pain, due to inflammation, is of most importance 

 in determining the prognosis ; when appearing twelve to twenty- 

 four hours after the accident it shows that grave injury has taken 

 place, and if accompanied by marked fever is a grave symptom. 

 The older the condition, the more slowly does resolution proceed. 

 Hence the old rule : a sprain uncured in two weeks will require not 

 less than four, and if then uncured will last at least a further four, 

 and so on. 



Treatment. The chief indication is perfect rest, but for large 

 animals is unfortunately difficult to secure. All movement should be 

 avoided, and the limb supported or fixed by firmly applying a strong 

 linen bandage. During the first three days cooling applications 

 keep down inflammation and modify pain, but after this time the 

 only symptom justifying employment of cold is continued severe 



