Surgical correction of intermittent upward fixation of the patella in a brahman cow.

U pward fixation of the patella is a syndrome most commonly reported in the horse but also occurs frequently in working bullocks and male buffaloes of India, while calves and cows below two years of age were involved sporadically (1 -4). The condition is less frequent in other countries, and is usually seen in dairy cattle late in gestation (5-8). The duration and severity of the lameness increases until the limb becomes rigid with an inability to flex the stifle or hock. A case of bilateral intermittent upward fixation of the patella (IUFP) has not been reported previously outside of India in nonworking cattle. A four-year-old Brahman cow was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Florida with a history of a left hindlimb lameness of eight months duration. Historically, the left hindlimb lameness had become progressively worse over five months, at which time the right hindlimb also became involved. The lameness in both limbs worsened until the cow calved. At that time, the right hindlimb lameness resolved, but lameness continued in the left hindlimb. The cow was in good condition, and had normal vital signs at admission. The gait of the left rear limb was abnormal with the limb remaining in extension for a prolonged period as the dorsal aspect of the foot was dragged along the ground while walking (Figure 1 A). During the cranial portion of the stride, the limb