Hygroma of the knee
Hygroma of the knee also known as capped knee. It is a distension of subcutaneous bursa in front of the knee. Hygroma of knee most commonly seen in cattle. It may also occur in horse.
Etiology
- Trauma
- In cattle the constant rubbing with rough flooring while the animal lies down and gets up is a common cause.
- In horse frequent falling during progression may cause it
Symptoms
- Diffuse swelling in the anterior aspect of the knee due to pursitis and parabursitis
- On palpation it may appear to contain fluid. Most of the fluid is intercellular
- Chronic cases– thickening or induration of skin
- Suppurative bursitis in case of external wound
Diagnosis
- Clinical signs and symptoms
- Radiography
Treatment
Extirpation of hygroma of knee
In long standing cases of hygroma, with well-defined fibrous thickening, it is better to extirpate the bursa including its fibrous thickening. Under local infilteration, an elliptical incision is made vertically enclosing the required area of skin. By blunt dissection extirpate the mass and control the haemorrhage if any. Suture the skin by interrupted apposition suture or preferably by vertical mattress sutures. Trimming of excess skin is necessary to prevent pocket formation, but if too much of skin is removed there will be difficulty in flexion of knee and the suture may consequently cut through.
Surgery for blemished knee in equine
Surgery for blemished knee in equine is also known as cherry’s operation. Anterior surface of the knee where the scar (blemishes) is situated is the site of surgery.
The scar or cicatrix is removed by including it in a elliptical skin incision vertically on the anterior aspect of the knee. This wound is closed by interrupted suture after relaxing the skin by placing additional vertical incision on either side of it. After healing, the three wounds will appear as three narrow streaks of scar covered by hair.