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CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2024; 07(01): e46-e51
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786187
Case Report

Achilles Tendon Rupture Treated with Flexor Digitorum Lateralis Tendon Transposition and Transarticular External Skeletal Fixator in Ouessant Sheep

Kévin Schreiber
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, VETREF – Referral Veterinary Clinic, AniCura Group, Beaucouzé, France
,
Philippe Haudiquet
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, VETREF – Referral Veterinary Clinic, AniCura Group, Beaucouzé, France
,
Martin Hamon
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, VETREF – Referral Veterinary Clinic, AniCura Group, Beaucouzé, France
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Abstract

Objective To describe the appositional augmentation of a complete Achilles tendon rupture in Ouessant sheep, using the intact flexor digitorum lateralis tendon, and immobilization with a type II transarticular external skeletal fixator.

Clinical Report A 1-year-old neutered male Ouessant sheep was presented for Achilles tendon rupture and multiple bite wounds, secondary to a dog attack. The Achilles tendon was torn entirely, and a significant 3-cm gaping defect was present. The remnants of the Achilles tendon were debrided and attached using locking-loop and epitendinous sutures. The intact flexor digitorum lateralis tendon was then transposed and secured over the tendinous repair to increase the tendon strength. The bite wounds were closed with a primary repair. Finally, a type II transarticular external skeletal fixator was used to immobilize the tarsocrural joint for 6 weeks.

Results A mild lameness, associated with a decreased range of motion of the tarsocrural joint, was present at the time of external skeletal fixator removal. Four months postoperatively, the lameness had completely resolved. A slight decrease in the range of motion of the tarsocrural joint was conserved.

Clinical Significance In a small ruminant, transposition of the flexor digitorum lateralis was successful for the repair of an Achilles tendon rupture with a large musculotendinous gap and infected open wounds. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case described in sheep.

Keywords

sheep - Achilles tendon rupture - flexor digitorum lateralis - tendon transposition - common calcaneal tendon


Publication History

Received: 29 July 2023

Accepted: 19 January 2024

Article published online:
10 May 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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