Limping Boston Terrier
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 5:39 pm
Hi 
I have a strange case that I would appreciate some advice on. Messi is a 2 ys old ME Boston Terrier. He's never had any health issues until he suddenly started lifting his left hind leg 1,5 months ago. The lifting of the leg looks the same as what one would excpect with a patellar luxation, only his patella doesn't luxate (I'll send you an e-mail with a little video Laurie, as I couldn't manage to attach it to this post). The only finding the referring vet had was a very mild joint effusion in the left stifle. No pain on flexion and extension. Both patellas are a little lax laterally but can't be luxated (this has also been checked when he was sedated). Knees haesbeen x-rayed and the only finding was mild joint effusion in the left stifle. Cranial drawer is negativ and there's no signs of pain when performing the drawer test. Muscles mass is ecual on both hind legs. Owner reports that the dog sometimes lifts his leg for several steps a lot during the walks, and some days not at all. There doesn't seem to be any pattern or correlation to activity level etc. He'll sometimes do it at the beginning of the walks and sometimes in the end. He's never been observed to lift his leg when he's inside the house, or when he is running fast. It only happens outside when he's walking or trotting and he never seems to notice it happening himself. Except for the lifting of the leg owner has never observed any lameness.
The only finding on the physical therapy examination was MTrP in the left sartorius and a slight pelvic drop when testing motor control and timining, improving when the cranial thigh was stimulated. Home excercises to adress motor control and timing and strething and massage of the sartorius, and sit to stands was prescribed. On the second consult 2,5 weeks later motor and control and timing had improved and there was no tenderness or triggerpoints in sartorius. However the gait issue had not changed at all. At a loss of what to do I just cheked every thing I could come up with, and when I did a McMurray test I suddenly got some quite obvious discomfort and some restriction, expecially when I tested in external rotation the joint movement stopped earlier than on the right knee. No boggy end-feel or clicks or clunks though. Considering referring him for an MRI, but not really sure because of the cost (owner feels this is a minor problem, and might not want to spend a lot of money). Anyone ever come across a meniscal injury presenting like this, and without any signs of cruciate disease? Any other things I should check?
Would be so greatful for any advice
Best Regards
Sunniva Morgan
I have a strange case that I would appreciate some advice on. Messi is a 2 ys old ME Boston Terrier. He's never had any health issues until he suddenly started lifting his left hind leg 1,5 months ago. The lifting of the leg looks the same as what one would excpect with a patellar luxation, only his patella doesn't luxate (I'll send you an e-mail with a little video Laurie, as I couldn't manage to attach it to this post). The only finding the referring vet had was a very mild joint effusion in the left stifle. No pain on flexion and extension. Both patellas are a little lax laterally but can't be luxated (this has also been checked when he was sedated). Knees haesbeen x-rayed and the only finding was mild joint effusion in the left stifle. Cranial drawer is negativ and there's no signs of pain when performing the drawer test. Muscles mass is ecual on both hind legs. Owner reports that the dog sometimes lifts his leg for several steps a lot during the walks, and some days not at all. There doesn't seem to be any pattern or correlation to activity level etc. He'll sometimes do it at the beginning of the walks and sometimes in the end. He's never been observed to lift his leg when he's inside the house, or when he is running fast. It only happens outside when he's walking or trotting and he never seems to notice it happening himself. Except for the lifting of the leg owner has never observed any lameness.
The only finding on the physical therapy examination was MTrP in the left sartorius and a slight pelvic drop when testing motor control and timining, improving when the cranial thigh was stimulated. Home excercises to adress motor control and timing and strething and massage of the sartorius, and sit to stands was prescribed. On the second consult 2,5 weeks later motor and control and timing had improved and there was no tenderness or triggerpoints in sartorius. However the gait issue had not changed at all. At a loss of what to do I just cheked every thing I could come up with, and when I did a McMurray test I suddenly got some quite obvious discomfort and some restriction, expecially when I tested in external rotation the joint movement stopped earlier than on the right knee. No boggy end-feel or clicks or clunks though. Considering referring him for an MRI, but not really sure because of the cost (owner feels this is a minor problem, and might not want to spend a lot of money). Anyone ever come across a meniscal injury presenting like this, and without any signs of cruciate disease? Any other things I should check?
Would be so greatful for any advice
Best Regards
Sunniva Morgan