Talocalcaneal Luxation An Anatomic and Clinical Study

Abstract

Talocalcaneal luxation in dogs was studied by anatomic dissection of the talocalcaneal joint in cadavers and review of five clinical cases. The integrity of the talocalcaneal joint was maintained by two strong ligaments traversing the tarsal sinus between the two bones. The joint was found to be a low motion joint. Luxation in clinical cases was not always apparent on standard radiographic views. Three dogs were treated surgically with a screw inserted in lag fashion from talus to calcaneus. One luxation was treated surgically with figure-of-eight orthopedic wires and one was treated with external coaptation. Four dogs returned to their previous levels of function without clinically detectable lameness.

Internal splinting of dorsal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal instabilities in dogs and cats with the ComPact UniLock 2.0/2.4TM System

“…Ruptures of the short dorsal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal ligaments are due to tarsal hyperextension injury (3). In talocalcaneal luxation, the talocalcaneal ligaments are disrupted as well as the talocentral ligaments, leading to separation between talus and calcaneus (7). These injuries are due to blunt trauma (7) and might occur secondary to hyperextension, or axial compression, allowing the base of the talus to slide along the central tarsal bone in a dorsal direction.…”

“…In talocalcaneal luxation, the talocalcaneal ligaments are disrupted as well as the talocentral ligaments, leading to separation between talus and calcaneus (7). These injuries are due to blunt trauma (7) and might occur secondary to hyperextension, or axial compression, allowing the base of the talus to slide along the central tarsal bone in a dorsal direction. Dorsal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal instabilities are considered to be uncommon in the canine (2,3,4,18).…”

“…Fibrous healing of the short ligaments and joint capsule should therefore result in adequate joint stability. The intertarsal joints and tarsometatarsal joints are true synovial joints and small amounts of physiological movement have been described in the talocalcaneal and the proximal intertarsal joint, indicating that these joints have a functional role in ambulation (5,7). Despite this, partial tarsal arthrodesis is often recommended in veterinary textbooks for dorsal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal ligament injuries (3,14,18).…”

“…Screw breakage occurred in two patients, both with instability at the proximal intertarsal joint, stabilized with only two screws ( Table 1). The proximal intertarsal joint allows some degree of physiological motion (5,7). Continuous motion might have caused repetitive stress, metal fatigue and finally breakage of the screws.…”

“…The tibiotarsal joint has the greatest range of motion (5). Although classified as rigid joints, the proximal intertarsal and talocalcaneal joints allow some degree of movement and should rather be considered low-motion joints (5,7). Intertarsal and tarsometatarsal ligaments are numerous (5).…”