21& LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



this manner, the action of the quapriceps femoral group of 

 muscles has no effect on the stitie joint and, therefore, flexion of 

 this articulation occurs as soon as the subject attempts to sustain 

 weight and the leg collapses unless weight is at once taken up by 

 the other member if sound. 



As a rule, the reduction of this form of luxation is not diffi- 

 cult. The patella may be pushed inward and into position with- 

 out manipulation of the leg. Retention of the patella in position 

 is a difficult problem. Bandaging is considered impractical and 

 is not ordinarily done in this country. Benard, according to 

 Cadiot and Almy, recommends bandaging with a heavy piece of 

 cloth in which an opening is made through which the patella 

 is allowed to protrude, and by turning such a bandage snugly 

 about the stifle several times, the patella is held in position. This 

 bandage should be kept in place for about ten days. 



In young and rachitic animals outdoor exercise and a good 

 nutritive ration for the subject are indicated. Hypophosphites 

 in assimilal)le form may be beneficial, and vesication of the pa 

 tellar region contributes to recovery. 



Where extreme luxation is present in l)oth stifles, the prog- 

 nosis is unfavorable. In such cases, degenerative changes may 

 exist and in some instances the ligaments are so diseased and 

 elongated that regeneration is impossible. Williams^ reports a 

 case where bilateral "floating" (outward) luxation was present 

 and extensive degeneration changes affected the articulation. 



In subjects suffering frequent dislocation of the patella (ha- 

 bitual luxation) it is possible in some cases, to prevent its occur- 

 rence or at least to minimize the distress occasioned by momen- 

 tary luxation, l^y keeping the animals in wide stalls so that 

 "backing" is unnecessary. In some nervous subjects that seem 

 to be suffering from cramp of the crural muscles, the difficulty 

 and pain of their being backed out of narrow stalls, accentuates 

 the nervousness. Sudation and restlessness are manifested and 

 the subject presents a clinical picture of distress and fear of a 

 painful ordeal. In some cases of this kind, complete recovery 

 takes place by the time animals are five or six years of age. 

 One should avoid keeping such subjects in narrow stalls. Pref- 



iW. I.. Williams in American Veterinary Review, Vol. 21, page 452. 



