Gracilis or semitendinosus myopathy in 18 dogs

Abstract

The clinical findings in 18 dogs with gracilis (n = 17) or semitendinosus (n = 1) myopathy are described. Each dog had a similar hind-limb gait abnormality characterized by a shortened stride with a rapid, elastic medial rotation of the paw, internal rotation of the hock and external rotation of the calcaneus [corrected] and internal rotation of the stifle during the mid-to-late swing phase of the stride. Medical management prior to or in lieu of surgery was attempted (n = 8) with no apparent response. Fifteen dogs had one or multiple surgical procedures. Although transection, partial excision, or complete resection of the affected muscle resulted in resolution of lameness following surgery, lameness recurred six weeks to five months (mean, 2.5 months; median, two months) following surgery. Adjunctive medical treatment did not prevent recurrence. Variable replacement of the affected muscle with fibrous connective tissue (predominantly along the caudolateral border of the muscle) was evident grossly, and replacement of myofibers with fibrous connective tissue was confirmed histologically. A definitive etiology could not be established.

Sartorius Muscle Contracture in a German Shepherd Dog

“…We likewise had a good outcome at 15 and 30 days, but at 12 months, there was reunion of the sartorius tendon and onset of gracilis contracture. Others have reported recurrence of gracilis and semitendinosus myopathy 5 or 6 months after surgery 1,3,4 . Review of ultrasonography images in our dog revealed no presurgical evidence of gracilis myopathy.…”

“…Sarli and colleagues reporting gracilis muscle myopathy in German Shepherds found that plasma concentrations of enzymes considered indicative of muscle damage (e.g., CK, LDH) were often within normal reference intervals. 4,11,12 Results of electromyographic examinations of gracilis myopathy have been variable, and Sarli and colleagues suggest that this reflects different phases of the same disease. 4,11,12 Magnetic resonance imaging may prove to be the best method of imaging myopathy 13 but was not performed in our dog.…”

Musculoskeletal System

“…Hematomas associated with partial muscle tears or blunt trauma are hypoechoic relative to surrounding tissues [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Normal muscle architecture is usually lost, but with time, normal structures generally return with healing.…”

Muscle and tendon disorders in small animals 2. Conditions affecting the hindlimb and digital flexor tendons

“…The condition may or may not be symmetrical. Myotomy or myectomy results in an immediate improvement, but is not advised, as all cases present again within one to five months of surgery due to the recurrence of fibrous tissue in the wound (Lewis and others 1997). The aetiology is unknown.…”