STRAIN OF THE KNEE. 53 



the ground, by the foot shpping at the moment when it is leaving the 

 ground and the hmb is at its extreme hmit of backward extension, l)y 

 side sHps, etc. The periarticular lesions ^Yill then be found on the 

 front, back, or internal surface of the articulation, depending on the 

 manner in which the accident has occurred. According to some authors, 

 violent muscular efforts, as well as work in soft clay soil, bogs and rice 

 swamps, are also capable of causing strain of the shoulder. 



Symptoms. At first moving appears difficult, the patient lies down 

 a great deal, then lameness becomes characteristic. Movement of the 

 scapulo-humeral joint being painful, the patient endeavours as far as 

 possible to avoid it ; the limb is advanced stiffly in an abducted position 

 and with a mowdng movement. This semi-circular movement avoids 

 the necessity of flexing the scapulo-humeral angle, but diminishes the 

 length of the stride. 



Locally, the region of the scapulo-humeral angle is swollen, doughy, 

 and extremely sensitive on manual examination. If the practitioner 

 endeavours to flex it by lifting the limb the animal flinches. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is not very difficult, although the peculiar 

 mowing movement is also seen in other cases, such as cracked heels and 

 mallenders. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is favourable, for, provided there has been 

 only a moderate strain of the tendons or isolated injury to the muscles, 

 recovery is almost certain. 



Treatment. Treatment consists in resting the animal and in 

 assisting repair. 



The parts can be immobihsed by the apphcation of a vesicant or 

 mild blister. A Yveek or ten days later dry friction, muscular and peri- 

 articular massage are indicated, and gentle exercise should be commenced. 

 The same treatment may be employed in strain of the elbow joint and 

 in strains of muscles or tendons in the neighbourhood of joints. Such 

 lesions are, however, very rare in the ox. 



STRAIN OF THE KNEE. 



Strain of the knee is commoner in the ox than in the horse, l)ecause of 

 the special conformation of the knee in the ox and the mode of working 

 under a yoke. This mode of working gives less individual liberty to the 

 fore quarters, and sometimes interferes with the animal's efforts when 

 moving a load. Strains of ligaments and periarticular injuries occur as 

 a o-eneral rule on the inner side of the limb. 



The symptoms consist in lameness, exaggerated sensibility on pressure, 

 pain on forced flexion of the knee, and swelling of the entire periarticular 



region. 



The prognosis is somewhat serious in working oxen. 



