A modified tenectomy approach to a case of spastic paresis in a 10-month-old bullock

Although treatment of bovine spastic paresis cases is often performed using a tibial neurectomy, the potential for substantial economic loss in an older animal, cost of anaesthesia and heightened difficulty of the procedure can preclude its use in veterinary practice. This report describes a tenectomy performed on a 450kg bullock which presented with spastic paresis of the left hind limb. Tenectomy of the medial and lateral tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle provided a good surgical treatment option through a modified incision site in a cranio-lateral
approach. Tenectomy has the advantages of being less invasive than a neurectomy, with clearly identifiable landmarks. A key aspect in achieving a successful outcome is to preserve the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT). In the experience of the authors, when compared to tibial neurectomy in similar sized animals, tenectomy had a reduced surgical time and minimized the potential complications such as dropping of the hock.