LAMENESS IN THE I'HALANGEAL LEGION. 69 



6. — Fracture of the Os Suffraginis. 



History. — Lameness followiii^r falls, slips, mis-steps, 

 galloping, jumping and sndden turning of llie Jiuimal wben 

 at a rapid gait. - 



Inspection. — Severe supporting-leg lameness, with volar 

 flexion of the fetlock when at rest. Should the fracture be 

 complete the broken parts may show abnormal mobility, 

 and on account of their dislocation deformity is brought on, 

 with subsequent swelling. When the bone is only fissured, 

 the animal is still able to support some weight with the 

 lame leg. 



Palpation. — Pronounced crejiitation and usually abnormal 

 mobility. When the lateral prominences are broken off, 

 mobility is marked from side to side. Great pain is also 

 present. In absence of crepitation artificial rotation must 

 be resorted to; if it is not productive of crepitation, careful 

 palpation of the anterior surface of the suffraginis must be 

 practiced, by starting at the middle of the anterior part of 

 the superior extremit}^ of this lone, going down along the 

 extensor pedis tendon. Any increased sensibility, along the 

 course of the tendon, running to one side or to the other 

 (usually the outer one), suggests a fissured condition of the 

 OS suffraginis. To correctly estimate the degree of pain 

 resulting from such a palpation the leg must be kept quiet 

 during the examination, and it is advisable to test the sound 

 leg in the same manner, thus comparing pain and conforma- 

 Hon. 



7.— Fracture of the Os Corona. 



This fracture is diagnosed in the same way as that of the 

 OS suffraginis, and the rules given under Sub. 6 can be 

 equally well applied in recognizing this fracture. Whenever 



