Foot slapping gait in a hindlimb
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:40 pm
Hello and thank you in advance for any advice you can give.
Samantha is an 8 yr old FS Border Collie Mix that weighs approximately 50 lbs. She has radiographic evidence of severe OA on both hips and both stifles. She is weight shifting forward and has significant muscle atrophy of both hindlimbs. The left hind is much more severely affected than the right.
Owner has been managing her for some time on Previcox, Gabapentin and weekly laser therapy by the rDVM.
I saw her last week on Tuesday because she suddenly after lying down on Monday had no use of her left hindlimb. By the time I saw her she was grade 2/5 lame on the left hind.
Decreased extension at both hips. Normal ROM at both stifles but significant crepitus. No drawer or thrust present. Increased extension both hocks.
Tightness / trigger points iliopsoas and sartorius bilaterally, adductors bilaterally, triceps and lats bilaterally.
What confused me a bit is her gait in her left hindlimb. P3 and P4 have dorsal deviation (Almost like a digital flexor dislocation or rupture) but could not palpate a slip or find any swelling and it is only affecting the 2 middle toes. As she brings her left hind back to the ground it slaps the ground. Not sure if this is weakness or if I am missing something.
I treated her neck, back, hips, stifles and trigger points. Did joint compressions and grade 1 joint mobilizations. Owner called several hours later and said she was so please with how easy Samantha was moving but the foot was still slapping the ground. Her home exercises at this point are just weight shifting and stretching to begin improving weight bearing on her hindlimbs. Still bothered by the slapping gait though.
Anyone seen this or have an idea of what it could be? I will be seeing her later in the week - hopefully I can get video (owner is elderly and not tech saavy) of her gait.
Thanks again
Samantha is an 8 yr old FS Border Collie Mix that weighs approximately 50 lbs. She has radiographic evidence of severe OA on both hips and both stifles. She is weight shifting forward and has significant muscle atrophy of both hindlimbs. The left hind is much more severely affected than the right.
Owner has been managing her for some time on Previcox, Gabapentin and weekly laser therapy by the rDVM.
I saw her last week on Tuesday because she suddenly after lying down on Monday had no use of her left hindlimb. By the time I saw her she was grade 2/5 lame on the left hind.
Decreased extension at both hips. Normal ROM at both stifles but significant crepitus. No drawer or thrust present. Increased extension both hocks.
Tightness / trigger points iliopsoas and sartorius bilaterally, adductors bilaterally, triceps and lats bilaterally.
What confused me a bit is her gait in her left hindlimb. P3 and P4 have dorsal deviation (Almost like a digital flexor dislocation or rupture) but could not palpate a slip or find any swelling and it is only affecting the 2 middle toes. As she brings her left hind back to the ground it slaps the ground. Not sure if this is weakness or if I am missing something.
I treated her neck, back, hips, stifles and trigger points. Did joint compressions and grade 1 joint mobilizations. Owner called several hours later and said she was so please with how easy Samantha was moving but the foot was still slapping the ground. Her home exercises at this point are just weight shifting and stretching to begin improving weight bearing on her hindlimbs. Still bothered by the slapping gait though.
Anyone seen this or have an idea of what it could be? I will be seeing her later in the week - hopefully I can get video (owner is elderly and not tech saavy) of her gait.
Thanks again