Ankylosis of the Digit Bones in Six Culling Lame Cows

Objective- To review the six cases for determination the radiological, pathological andclinical features of bony ankylosis of the interphalangeal joint.Design- Cross-sectional and Observational studyAnimal- Six Culling Lame Dairy CowsProcedures- Forty one culled lame cows of 1135 culled cows having digit disorderswhich were randomly selected for clinical and radiographic and pathological purpose. Aamong 41 culled lame cows; six cases were affected by bony ankylosis. After recordinginformation for each cow, diseased digit was amputated and carried to the VeterinaryTeaching Hospital, Radiology Department for more detailed radiographical as well aspathological studies.Results- In 6 (14.6%) cases of the culled lame cows, the signs of ankylosis and injuries intheir sole surface at zone 2, 4, 5 and 6 were prevailed. All of the ankylosed cases wereinvolved in the lateral claw of the hindlimbs. Pathological findings recorded from 6 caseshad some similarities to the solar surface had no natural wearing and showed an increasein thickness of the keratinized tissues. Widening of the periople and swelling of the heelarea in the involved digit were the permanent features of the culled lame cows.Morphopathologic finding recorded from 6 cases strongly illustrated bony ankylosisbetween (P1+ P2 bone, P3+ distal sesamoid bone, P2+ P3 bone+ distal sesamoid bone,P2+ distal sesamoid bone) was observed. Radiographic images taken from the involveddigits of the 6 culled lame cows depicted a quite wide range of radiographic signs such assoft tissue swelling, new bone formation and gas density.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Radiological and morphopathological pattern ofboney structures in bony ankylosis indicates that noninfectious factors like subluxation ofthe joint beside ascending infection under hoof surface can stimulate bridge-likeperiosteal proliferation in the periarticular surface, and they eventually result in ankylosissuch as subluxation of the joint between P2 and P3 bones. However, ankylosis of thecoffin joint is a factor that causes subluxation in the pastern joint.