Surgical management of bilateral semitendinosus fibrotic myopathy and cranial cruciate ligament disease in a German Shepherd Dog

Authors: Hoon QJ, Mouatt J, Corfield GS, Moses PA
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 49, Issue 1, pp 5-10, Mar 2019
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Clinical examination, Surgery
Article class: Clinical Article
Abstract:

CASE REPORT: Surgical management is traditionally not recommended for semitendinosus fibrotic myopathy because of the high recurrence rate. An active 2-year-old German Shepherd Dog was initially presented for an abnormal bilateral pelvic limb gait. On physical examination, palpably thickened fibrotic bands along the thigh musculature and restricted stifle range of motion were identified bilaterally. A clinical diagnosis of bilateral semitendinosus fibrotic myopathy was based on the distinctive gait anomaly. Conservative management with physiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications was recommended. The patient was re-presented 3 and 5 years later for left and right cranial cruciate disease, respectively, with no improvement in the gait abnormality. Medial crural fasciotomy and modified triple tibial osteotomy were performed at each time point. The former involving releasing the extensive crural fascial insertion on the tibia. Long-term follow-up 29 and 15 months postoperatively for the respective limbs showed continued resolution of the abnormal gait with only mild restriction in stifle extension.

CONCLUSION: Effects of surgical intervention may not be as short-lived as previously described, with medial crural fasciotomy considered as a potential treatment option. Further investigation of the effect of cranial cruciate ligament disease and its implications on the pathogenesis of semitendinosus fibrotic myopathy may also be warranted.

KEYWORDS: contracture; cranial cruciate ligament; crural fascia; dogs; fasciotomy; fibrotic myopathy; semitendinosus m.


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