The Case of the Ruptured Calcaneal Tendon
By: Deana J Cappucci-Lorentz, BS, LVT, CCRA, CCMT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)-OC—
Coral Springs Animal Hospital Specialty Nurse in Physical Rehabilitation
Maya, a two year
old, 6 kg female
spayed Cockapoo
presented to her
primary
veterinarian
in
March 2016 for
right pelvic limb lameness after being
bit on the tarsus by her housemate.
Upon examination and radiographs,
there were no palpable fractures, but
there was a small wound at the level
of the calcaneal tendon. The wound
was addressed accordingly and a soft
bandage was placed around the right
tarsus.
Maya
was
given
buprenorphine 0.01mg/kg IM and
enrofloxacin 5mg/kg SQ, and sent
home with firocoxib 10mg/kg PO QD
and enrofloxacin 6mg/kg PO BID.
Owners were directed to follow up
every few days for bandage changes.
Ten days later, Maya was still lame on
the right pelvic limb. The owners
were not restricting her activity as
directed. Maya had been jumping on
and off the couch, running around,
and playing with housemates. The
wound had healed but Maya had a
plantigrade stance on the right pelvic
limb with severe laxity of the right
tarsus. At this point Maya was
referred to a board-certified surgeon.
Two weeks after the initial injury,
Maya presented to a board-certified
surgeon and examination revealed
the right tarsus was dropped and
hyperextended, as well as bilateral
medial patellar luxation (grade 2/4).
Swelling was palpated along the
right
distal
calcaneal
tendon,
proximal
to
base
of
the
gastrocnemius muscle. A partial
full tear of the calcaneal tendon
(comprised of the gastrocnemius,
gracilis,
semitendinosus,
biceps
femoris, and superficial digital flexor
tendon) or an avulsion of the
gastrocnemius
muscle
was
suspected. Due to the severity of
the injury, surgery was advised.
Surgical correction was offered as
the preferred method; however it
was explained to the owners that if