92 LAMENESS IN THE HOKSE. 



(h) BACKWARD LUXATION OF THE FEMUR. 



Swinging and supporting leg lameness. The leg is 

 advanced in an outward swinging fashion, the toe possibly 

 dragging over the ground. Standing still, the skin over the 

 gluteal region is tightly stretched ; a depression will be 

 noticed about the trochanter and a groove in front of the 

 biceps muscle. The leg is abducted, but the stifle is turned 

 inwards. Striking the trochanter, or pushing the extended 

 leg suddenly back, gives rise to a dull sound as the head of 

 the femur strikes the ischium. 



(c) INWARD LUXATION OF THE FEMUR. 



If the head of the femur rests against the transverse 

 portion of the os pubis, the animal shows an unsteady, 

 wabbling gait, a depression is seen over the region of the 

 hip joint ; of passive movements, abduction is excessively 

 free while adduction is limited. If the head of the femur 

 is in the obturator foramen, the symptoms are very much 

 like those in the just described condition, but the head of 

 the femur can be felt in the obturator foramen by rectal or 

 vaginal examination, particularly when the leg is pushed 

 upwards at the same time. 



(d) OUTWARD LUXATION OF THE FEMUR. 



It is quite difficult for the animal to walk, as the leg is 

 materially shortened. In a case of a mule, seen by the writer, 

 the trochanter was plainly visible, and could be readily 

 identified as such by palpation directly in front and above 

 the cotyloid cavity. Whenever the mule took a step and 

 put weight upon the lame leg, decided upward movement of 

 the trochanter and stretching of the skin could be readily 

 seen. The characteristic points therefore are : shortening 

 of the leg with adduction, limited passive movements, 



