Treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in cattle: 11 cases (1974-1988)

Abstract

A mixed population of 11 cattle (7 dairy, 4 beef; 9 male, 2 female) were examined because of acute onset of non-weightbearing hind limb lameness. Radiography revealed slipped capital femoral epiphyseal fracture in all cattle, with the exception of one large bull. Ten of the 11 cattle were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, using intramedullary pins. Cattle affected with slipped capital femoral epiphyseal fracture in previous reports typically have been calves that required forced extraction during dystocia. Cattle in this report were in the following 2 age groups in which trauma was the likely cause: 3 to 5 months and 1.5 to 2.3 years. Follow-up information was provided for 7 of the 10 cattle. Four of the 7 were functional and had no clinical signs of arthritis, abnormal gait, atrophy, scarring, contralateral compensation, breakdown, or other difficulty 6 months after surgical correction. If early diagnosis is achieved, it appears that reduction with intramedullary pinning can provide a good long-term prognosis in cattle when function as breeding animals is important to their future value.