Case 7: Fractured medial malleolus right hock
ZANE, Greek Mountain Dog, Male (neutered), 2/1/97
Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 3HY
Known Conditions; Fractured medial malleolus right hock, fracture too small to immobilise, so surgey performed 18/4/05, to remove the fragment. Robert Jones bandages were used post operatively for 6 weeks to immobilise joint, but now joint swelling and instability of hock joint possibly due to exuberant exercise.
Aim; To reduce the swelling of the hock by increasing stability, and increase the flexion and extension of the joint through controlled exercise.
The joint also has restricted flexion and extension, and Zane tends to deviate his foot laterally when walking.
| START 27/07/05 |
END 26/08/05 |
|
| WEIGHT | 19.6 kg | 19.5 kg |
| NECK | 40cm | 38.5cm |
| CHEST | 68cm | 67cm |
| WAIST | 56cm | 54.5cm |
| HOCK - LEFT HOCK - RIGHT |
13cm 14cm |
13cm 13.5cm |
| THIGH - LEFT THIGH - RIGHT |
29cm 28.5cm |
29.5cm 29.5cm |
Final Assessment;
| DATE | SESSION NUMBER |
SPEED (k/h) |
DURATION (MINUTES) |
| 27/07/05 | 1 | 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 |
2 2 3 3 |
| 01/08/05 | 2 | 3.6 3.4 3.2 |
4 4 4 |
| 03/08/05 | 3 | 3.6 3.4 |
6 6 |
| 05/08/05 | 4 | 3.8 3.6 3.4 |
6 4 2 |
| 08/08/05 | 5 | 3.8 3.6 3.2 |
6 4 2 |
| 10/08/05 | 6 | 3.8 3.6 3.2 |
6 4 2 |
| 12/08/05 | 7 | 3.8 3.6 |
7 5 |
| 17/08/05 | 8 | 3.8 3.6 |
6 6 |
| 19/08/05 | 9 | 3.8 3.6 |
8 5 |
| 22/08/05 | 10 | 3.8 3.6 |
8 5 |
| 25/08/05 | 11 | 3.8 3.6 |
9 5 |
Zane has shown a marked improvement in his weight bearing ability and flexibility of the joint. There is still some fixation in the hock, but this is expected after surgery. Although the flexion and extension has improved, I doubt at all that he will get full movement back as a result of the initial injury, and then the subsequent surgery, but the instability has dramatically improved and there is no lateral or medial movement of the joint. Zane now shows no signs of foot deviation when exercising, either lateral or medial, which shows he is more comfortable with the leg and is not compensating for the instability any longer. He has also regained full muscle mass in the right thigh to an even level with the left ( they have both improved). Mr Serjeant has requested checking Zane in 1 months time to monitor his progress, or before if there are any problems, but I am very happy with the achievements he has made.
There is still a ‘lump' on the medial aspect of the hock at the site of the surgical incision, this will take approx. 6-9 months to resolve to an unnoticeable level.