Finally, in spontaneous luxation, occurring in young animals in which blisters have been ineffectually tried after reduction, Bénard’s bandage may be used, though it is not generally regarded as very practical. It consists of a piece of cloth of elongated lozenge form about four feet in length, six inches in breadth at its centre and two inches at its ends. Its centre is pierced by a transverse opening intended to surround the patella, and carries a loop for the purpose of supporting the turns of bandage. A second longitudinal opening is situated about eight inches from the centre.
Reduction being effected, the whole region of the stifle joint is covered with Burgundy or ordinary pitch and the bandage then applied. The patella projects through the central opening. The end A is passed backwards around the thigh, and through the aperture B; the two cross ends are then brought forward, crossed again at the end, the loop over the patella carried a second time backwards, again crossed, and finally fixed in front under the patella. The bandage should be firmly applied, without, however, being so tight as to interfere with circulation, and must be left in place from eight to ten days.
Fig. 23.—Backward luxation of the femoro-tibial joint. (From a photograph by Professor Besnoit.)
Van Denmoegdenberg recommends placing the patient on an inclined plane, with the hind quarters a foot higher than the front, so as to cause permanent contraction of the anterior muscles of the quarter, and thus immobilise the patella. Simple cold baths, frequently repeated, friction with camphorated alcohol or essence of turpentine, complete this original but somewhat questionable treatment, and are said to result in recovery in a fortnight.
LUXATION OF THE FEMORO-TIBIAL ARTICULATION.
This form of luxation is rare, a fact explained by the strength of the lateral ligaments of the joint, and of the cruciform interosseus ligaments. It may assume different forms, according as the head of the tibia is displaced in front of, behind, to the inside, or to the outside of the lower extremity of the femur. In all, therefore, it may appear in four different forms. The commonest is backward luxation.
Causation. With the sole exception of luxations or subluxations due to tuberculosis (lateral luxations, either inwardly or outwardly, occurring during tubercular arthritis, with more or less marked destruction of the condyles), these luxations are always accidental or the result of mechanical violence.
They result from leaping into hollows, falling into deep ditches or ravines, or galloping through broken or steep places. Any violent shock affecting the femur, either in front or from the outside, is capable of causing luxation backwards or inwards.
