Carpal joint injuries in cats – an epidemiological study

Feline carpal ligament injuries are often diagnosed indirectly using palpation and stress radiography to detect whether there is instability and widening of joint spaces. There are currently no reports describing normal feline carpal ligament anatomy and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the carpal ligaments. The objective of this prospective, anatomic study was to describe normal feline carpal ligament anatomy using gross plastinated specimens and MRI. We hypothesized that MRI could be used to identify the carpal ligaments as previously described in the dog, and to identify species specific variations in the cat. The study was conducted using feline cadaver antebrachii that were radiographed prior to study inclusion. Three limbs were selected for MRI to confirm repeatability of anatomy between cats. The proton density weighted pulse sequence was used and images were acquired in transverse, dorsal, and sagittal planes. Following MRI, the limbs were plastinated and a collagen stain was used to aid in identification of carpal ligament anatomy. These limbs were sliced in sagittal section, and a further six paired limbs were included in the study and sliced in transverse and dorsal planes. Anatomic structures were initially described using MRI and then subjectively compared with gross plastinated specimens. Readers considered the transverse MRI plane to be most useful for visualizing the majority of the carpal ligaments. Findings indicated that MRI anatomy of the carpal ligaments was comparable to plastinated anatomy; therefore MRI appears to be a beneficial imaging modality for exploration of feline carpal pathology.

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Management of feline carpal injuries: What are the options and when is arthrodesis indicated?

Basa¹,

Johnson

2019

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Practical relevance: Feline carpal injuries are usually caused by falls from a height that result in hyperextension injury or antebrachiocarpal luxation or subluxation. Isolated ligamentous damage or fracture of the carpus is unusual; it is more common to have a combination of both in the cat. These injuries can be debilitating since cats climb and jump from great heights, and have a greater range of antebrachial pronation and supination than dogs. Anatomy: There are differences in the anatomy of the feline and canine carpus. In particular, cats only have a single short radial collateral ligament, also known as the medial collateral ligament. This means that, in the cat, antebrachiocarpal subluxation is possible with rupture of the dorsal joint capsule and short radial collateral ligament alone. Clinical challenges: Many feline carpal injuries can be treated without performing pancarpal arthrodesis. However, determining which ligaments and joint levels are affected requires careful examination and often stress radiography. When pancarpal arthrodesis is performed in the cat, it has been reported to reduce the height of jumping and to increase reluctance to climb. This is speculated to be due to reduced pronation and supination movement of the carpus. Evidence base: The current evidence base for management of feline carpal injuries is grade III or IV, with most of the studies being retrospective case series involving cadaveric dissection or direct extrapolation from published information about the dog. There are few guidelines regarding the optimal treatment options for carpal injuries in the cat.

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Carpal joint injuries in cats – an epidemiological study

Abstract: The data of this study confirm previous data with respect to time of occurrence and cause of injury. Of note, the height of the fall appears to influence the location of the injury within the carpus of cats.

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Canine Carpal Injuries

Canine Carpal Injuries

High field magnetic resonance imaging anatomy of feline carpal ligaments is comparable to plastinated specimen anatomy

Management of feline carpal injuries: What are the options and when is arthrodesis indicated?

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