Dorsal scapula luxation

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Utlendigur — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 20:55:27 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]How did it go?[/quote]

Not as difficult to find my way around as I was expecting given the time since injury. Serratus ventralis and trapezius both avulsed and had then somehow fused together beneath the scapula (which had perhaps stopped them from contacting too much?). Cobbled together Reattached with prolene through bone tunnels in dorsal scapula border and scapula spine. Fingers crossed since everyone has fallen for the cat - usually a bad prognostic indicator...

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Rob Davis — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 19:50:27 GMT

How did it go?

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Utlendigur — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:37:58 GMT

Thanks - it's in on Wednesday which is shaping up to be a bit of a fun orthopaedic marathon day

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Tim Charlesworth — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 18:23:24 GMT

Have seen this in a few cats, one traumatic, a couple post "injection site sarcoma" resection. There is either a ventral rupture or loss of dorsal support (Trapezius/Rhonboideus) or both. I'd explore the area and see what you've got and try to reconstruct the anatomy as best as you can. Prolene sutures from the caudal border of the scapula to the underlying rib work well, you don't need to use wire but it is worth bandaging for a week or two post-op to ty to encourage helpful fibrosis..

Tim

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Utlendigur — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:40:24 GMT

Thanks for the replies

[quote user="derrick carpenter"]I think there will be rupture of the serratus ventralis.[/quote]

That's what I was thinking - plus possibly trapezius also - is it one wide flat tendon or multiple separate ones?

[quote user="derrick carpenter"] I think you can wire the caudal border of the scapula around rib 6 or 7[/quote]

I had read that but wasn't sure how feasible it was other that as additional support given the degree of movement - I'd be worried the wire would snap fairly quickly

[quote user="Will McMullan"]How impaired is the cat's mobility?[/quote]

It gets around, but the degree of deviation is, to put it mildly, extreme - enough to make the nurse scream. It wouldn't manage outdoors, and I suspect it will get worse over time

[quote user="John Flynn"]Here's a case report with some pics in case worth reading:[/quote]

Thank you

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

John Flynn — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:19:34 GMT

Never seen one myself.

Here's a case report with some pics in case worth reading:

http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/issues/vet-13-37-5/vet-37-5-24-1209-34.pdf

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

Will McMullan — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:00:08 GMT

How impaired is the cat's mobility? I have managed a similar case conservatively with success. There remained lateral movement of the dorsal border of the scapula with weight-bearing but the cat didn't mind and was fully mobile. I suspect the caudal border was still attached in my case though, so perhaps this is a more severe disruption.

Re: Dorsal scapula luxation

derrick carpenter — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:45:32 GMT

I think there will be rupture of the serratus ventralis. I repaired one once with prolene sutures between the tendon ends and through holes drilled in the dorsal border of the scapula, followed by cage rest for six weeks. But this long after injury I think it would be dodgy. I think you can wire the caudal border of the scapula around rib 6 or 7, but I've never tried that