Hock joint

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This is a composite joint consisting of

  1. Tibio tarsal articulation
  2. Proximal tarsal articulations
  3. Inter tarsal articulations
  4. Distal tarsal articulations
  5. Tarso-metatarsal articulations.

The tibio tarsal articulation is a ginglymus. The rest are arthrodia. The joint has common ligaments and special ligaments.

Common ligaments
  1.  Capsular ligament may be divided into two parts-anterior and posterior.
    • The anterior capsular ligament is membranous and encloses and tibio-tarsal joint in front.
    • The posterior capsular ligament is also membranous and is attached to the tibial tarsal above, metatarsal below and blends with the lateral ligaments.
  2. The lateral and medial collateral ligaments extending from the distal end of the tibia above, attached to the tarsal bones and the large metatarsal bone below.
  3. Posterior ligament (calcaneo-metatarsal ligament) is on the postero-lateral aspect from the posterior border of tuber calcis passes down and is attached to the central and fourth tarsal and to the large metatarsal below.
  4. Dorsal oblique ligament is a narrow band placed at the antero-internal aspect of the joint. It extends from the medial side of the tibial tarsal, passed obliquely downwards and attaches on the fused central, fourth tarsal and the large metatarsal bones.
  5. Tarso- metatarsal ligament is on the plantar aspect of the joint. It is blended in front with plantar oblique capsular ligament and is adherent to all the tarsal bones. It also blends medially with the medial (collateral) ligament and laterally with planter tarsal ligament. Its plantar face is lines by synovial membrane and forms anterior wall of the tarsal sheath.
  6. Besides these ligaments, there are certain annular ligament which serve to bind the tendons of the muscles.
    • On the dorsal aspect, there are two-proximal and distal.
    • The proximal annular ligament is large and thick running across from medial to lateral malleolus. It binds fascia down the tendons of complex muscle.
    • The distal annular ligament is thin, arises from fibular tarsal runs obliquely downwards inward is attached to the large metatarsal.
    • The plantar or posterior annular ligament extends from the fibular tarsal and plantar ligament to the medial collateral ligament. This from the posterior wall of the tarsal sheath.
  7. The tarsal sheath is formed in front by the tarso-metatarsal ligament (blended with plantar capsular ligament) and behind by the plantar annular ligament. The posterior and anterior faces respectively of these ligaments are lined by synovial membrane and this sheath for the tendon of the deep flexor, plantar arteries and nerves.
Special Ligaments
  1. Tibio-tarsal articulations
    • It is a ginglymus, between lower extremity of tibia and tibial and fibular tarsal bones. The common ligament of the hock joint serves to bind the tibia and tibial tarsal.
  2. Proximal tarsal articulation
    • Between tibial tarsal and fibular tarsal bones.
    • Ligaments
      • one extends from the supero-posterior margin of the trochlea of tibial tarsal to fibular tarsal
      • From sustentaculum tali to adjacent part of tibial tarsal on the medial aspect
      • A lateral band from trochlear process of fibular tarsal to lateral ridge of the trochlea of tibial tarsus.
      • An interosseous ligament.
  3. Proximal inter-tarsal articulation
    • Between tibial and fibular tarsals above and central & fourth tarsal below.
    • Ligaments
      • Interosseous between tibial and centrals
      • Interosseous between fibular and central tarsals.
  4. Distal inter-tarsal articulation
    • Between central & fourth tarsal above fused second and third tarsal and first tarsal below.
    • Ligaments
      • From central tarsal to fused second and third tarsal on the dorsal aspect.
      • Interosseous ligaments connecting fused central and fourth tarsal to fused second and third tarsal and to large metatarsal.
  5. Distal tarsal articulation
    • Between fused second and third tarsal and first tarsal
    • Interosseous ligament between fused second and third tarsal and first tarsal.
  6. Tarsal metatarsal articulation
    • Between central and fourth tarsal, second and third tarsal bones above and large metatarsal bone below.
    • On the dorsal aspect extending obliquely from medial aspect of tibial tarsal, down to large metatarsal. Synovial membranes are four in member.
    • Motion
      • Extension and flexion in the tibio-tarsal and gliding in other joints.
Horse
  • Minor differences due to the variation in number of bones.
  • Check ligaments are ill developed.
  • The supra tarsal ligament is vestigial and is represented by deep tarsal fascia, attached to both sides of tendo-achilles.
  • The sub tarsal ligament is the prolongation of the tarso-metatarsal ligament, which joins the deep flexor tendon.
Dog
  • Differences are present due to variation in the number of bones.
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