Elephant with 4 year lameness/stiffness of right leg

Elephant with a 4 yr duration of lameness/stiffness of the right front leg. There is a large bony spur on the cranial aspect of the proximal radius near the joint capsule insertion as well as a portion of the biceps tendon insertion. There was also arthritic change visible on xrays. Elephants don't do well with surgery, apparently all wounds (surgical or traumatic) heal by 2nd intention, thus surgical incisions commonly dehisce making surgical treatment a last resort. The zoo had been doing some PT (active ROM exercise, cold therapy with a hose) and using joint supplements to treat, but lameness has progressed and gets worse with cold weather. Goal is aimed at treating OA with ESWT.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Animal Rehabilitation
• Physical Therapy