A syndrome characterized by limb hyperextension, generalized muscle atrophy, abducted gait, and a limited range of joint motion is reported in five dogs, four of which were immature. Distal femoral fractures, of traumatic origin, were found in all dogs; four dogs were subjected to limb immobilization in extension for three to seven weeks. Lesions in muscle biopsies included fiber size variability, increased prominence of subsarcolemmal nuclei, increased perimysial fibrosis and focal necrosis. Histochemical and morphometric studies demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05), Type I fiber atrophy in the vastus lateralis muscles in the limbs with femoral fractures treated by hyperextension. The shortest time period between onset of fracture and the presence of type I fiber atrophy was seven weeks.
References
1.
AdamsR.D.: Pathological reaction of the skeletal muscle fiber in man. In: Disorders of Voluntary Muscle, ed. Walton, pp. 168–233, 3rd ed.Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1974
2.
BoothF.W.; KelsoJ.R.: Prediction of rat muscle atrophy by cast fixation.J Appl Physiol34: 404–406, 1973
3.
BoothF.W.: Regrowth of atrophied skeletal muscle in adult rats after ending immobilization.J Appl Physiol44: 225–230, 1978
4.
BraundK.G.; HoffE.J.; RichardsonK.E.Y.: Histochemical identification of fiber types in canine skeletal muscle.Am J Vet Res39: 561–565, 1978
5.
BraundK.G.; WalkerT.L.; VandeveldeM.: Fascicular nerve biopsy in the dog.Am J Vet Res40: 1025–1030, 1979
6.
BraundK.G.; ShiresP.K.: Unpublished data
7.
BurkeR.E.; LevineD.N.; ZajacF.; TsairisP.; EngelW.K.: Mammalian motor units: Physiological-histochemical correlation in three types in cat gastrocnemius.Science174: 709–712, 1971
8.
BurkeR.E.; LevineD.N.; TsairisP.; ZajacF.E.: Physiological types and histochemical profiles in motor units of the cat gastrocnemius.J Physiol (London)234: 723–748, 1973
9.
CooperR.R.: Alterations during immobilization and regeneration of skeletal muscle in cats.J Bone Joint Surg54-A: 919–953, 1972
10.
DeReuckJ.; DeCosterW.; vander EeckenH.: The target phenomenon in rat muscle following tenotomy and neurotomy.Acta Neuropathol (Berl)37: 49–53, 1977
11.
DrachmanD.B.: The role of acetylcholine as a neurotrophic transmitter.Ann N Y Acad Sci228: 160–175, 1974
12.
DrakeJ.C.; HimeJ.M.: Two syndromes in young dogs caused by toxoplasma gondii.J Small Anim Pract8: 621–626, 1967
13.
DubowitzV.; BrookeM.H.: Muscle Biopsy: A Modern Approach, pp. 98–102. W.B. Saunders, London, 1973
14.
EdgertonV.R.; VarnardR.J.; PeterJ.B.: Properties of immobilized muscles of the Galago senegalensis.Exp Neurol46: 115–131, 1975
15.
EngelW.K.; CunninghamG.C.: Rapid examination of muscle tissue. An improved trichrome method for fresh frozen biopsy sections.Neurology (Minneapolis)13: 919–923, 1963
16.
Estable-PuigJ.F.; BauerW.C.; BlumbergJ.M.: Paraphenylene diamine staining of osmium-fixed plastic embedded tissue for light and phase microscopy.J Neuropathol Exp Neurol24: 531–535, 1965
17.
FischbachG.D.; RobbinsN.: Changes in contractile properties of disused soleus muscles.J Physiol (London)201: 305–320, 1960
18.
GunnD.R.: Contracture of the quadriceps muscle.J Bone Joint Surg46-B: 492–497, 1964
19.
GoldspinkD.F.: The influence of immobilization and stretch on protein turnover of rat skeletal muscle.J Physiol (London)264: 267–282, 1977
20.
GoldspinkD. F.: The influence of activity on muscle size and protein turnover.J Physiol (London)264: 283–296, 1977
21.
HeskethK.T.: Experiences with the Thompson quadricepsplasty.J Bone Joint Surg45-B: 401–495, 1963
McComasA.J.: Neuromuscular Function and Disorders, pp. 80–88. Butterworths, London, 1977
28.
NicollE. A.: Quadricepsplasty: The treatment of stiff knee following trauma.Post Grad Med J40: 521–526, 1964
29.
PiermatteiD.L.; GreelyR.G.: An Atlas of Surgical Approaches to the Bones of the Dog and Cat.W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1966
30.
RudyR.L.: Stifle joint. In: Canine Surgery, ed. Archibald, pp. 1104–1159, 2nd ed.American Veterinary Publications, Santa Barbara, California, 1974
31.
ShiresP.K.: Unpublished data
32.
SteadA.C.; CamburnM.A.; GunnH.M.; KirkE.J.: Congenital hindlimb rigidity in a dog.J Small Anim Pract18: 39–46, 1977
33.
TabaryJ.C.; TabaryC.; TardieuC.; TardieuG.; GoldspinkG.: Physiological and structural changes in the cat's soleus muscle due to immobilization at different lengths by plaster casts.J Physiol (London)224: 231–244, 1972
34.
TomanekR.J.; LundD.D.: Degeneration of different types of skeletal muscle fibers. II. Immobilization.J Anat118: 531–541, 1974
