Correction of neonatal stifle luxation in a 35‐day‐old cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Abstract

Correction of neonatal stifle luxation in a 35-day-old cockatiel ( Nymphicus hollandicus )In cases of stifle luxation in birds, surgical repair of the damaged soft tissues may be attempted in larger species and internal fixation is the technique of choice (Bennet 1997 , Bowles & Zantop 2002.A 35-day-old Nimphycus hollandicus was presented because of inability to stand (Fig 1 A). Medio-cranial luxation of the femorotibiotarsal joint was apparent on radiographs (Fig 1 B). As the young age of the patient increased the chances of good healing, we decided to correct the problem by immobilising the legs with a semi-rigid foam splint (Fig 2 A, B), that was more rigid than the devices used to treat splay-legs (Parrot Parrot 1997 ), after the luxation had been repositioned under general anaesthesia.Immobilisation of the legs aimed to achieve periarticular fibrosis and stabilise the stifle joint. Weekly physiotherapy under general anaesthesia was performed to avoid ankylosis of the unaffected joints and leg.After 20 days the bird was able to stand with the legs in normal position. With daily physiotherapy, the condition of the bird improved, although walking ability never became fully normal because of ankylosis of the stifle joint (Fig 3 A, B). The bird also developed a moderate left pododermatitis that healed in 2 months with topical therapy. No sign of pododermatitis appeared on the right foot despite ankylosis at the stifle joint.This use of semi-rigid foam rubber devices is an effective method to maintain the legs in normal position after stifle luxation reduction, allowing stabilisation of the joint in growing birds belonging to smaller species in which surgical repair of the ligaments tends to be difficult.

Tratamento de constrição em membros pélvicos associado a splay leg em filhote de Psittacara leucophthalmus

“…A fisioterapia se indicou promissora, conforme é possível observar nas radiografias controle de sete e 14 dias, que evidenciam a diminuição de inchaço em tecidos moles adjacentes, e redução da angulação dos membros pélvicos. Desta forma, foi possível evitar consequências comuns em fixações precoces, como anquilose das articulações e atrofia muscular (Luparello et al, 2016). Após este período, as talas foram empregadas apenas para corrigir um desvio leve de angulação, pois com os exercícios foi observado regressão considerável do splay leg.…”

Splayed Leg in Birds: Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prevention

“…The use of this semi-rigid foam rubber device is an effective method of maintaining the foot in a normal position, enabling joint stabilization in growing birds belonging to smaller species where surgical repair of ligaments tends to be difficult. Several methods that have been used for the treatment of splayed leg are ribbon method, stick method, foam method, and rubber method (Luparello et al, 2016;Duerr and Gage, 2020).…”