2. Femur

The bulk of muscles is less than in the horse or ox and the range of hip movement is greater in the camel. This allow greater freedom when radiographing this bone specially in young subject.

Figure 25:  Positioning for the lateral femur.

Figure 26:  Lateral femor.

3. Stifle joint

In the standing animal the lateral view is obtained by placing the cassette medial to the joint and for the posteroanterior view it is placed anteriorly.

Figure 27:  Lateral view of the stifle joint.

Figure 28:  Caudocranial radiograph of normal stifle joint.

Figure 29:  Laterooblique radiograph of the stifle joint.

4. Tarsus

Lateral views are obtained with the cassette medial to the hock joint and the beam is directed from the lateral aspect, while for the anteroposterior the cassette is held behind the joint with the beam directed from in front.

Figure 30:  Positioning for tarsus.

Figure 31:  Lateral aspect of macerated skeleton of a normal tarsal joint. O, lateral malleulus; 1, tibia; 2, first tarsal; 3, fused second and third tarsal; 4, fourth tarsal; 5, central tarsal; 6, tabiotarsal; fibulotarsa; 9, metatarsus.

Figure 32:  Medial  aspect of macerated skeleton of a normal tarsal jointO, lateral malleulus; 1, tibia; 2, first tarsal; 3, fused second and third tarsal; 4, fourth tarsal; 5, central tarsal; 6, tabiotarsal; fibulotarsa; 9, metatarsus.

Figure 33:  Mediolateral radiograph of the tarsus. Diagram for lateral tarsus. A, tabia; B, metatarsus; C, fibular tarsal bone; D, tibial tarsal bone; E, cranial border; F, central tarsal; J, first tarsal; H, fused second and third tarsal; I, fourth tarsal.

Figure 34:  Positioning for DV and VD vies for tarsus.

Figure 35:  Lateromedial oblique radiograph and diagram  of tarsus. A, tibis; B, metatarsus; C, fibular tarsal; D, tibialtarsal; E, medial malleolus; F, articular groove; G, lateral malleolus; H, central tarsal; I, first tarsal; J, second and third fused tarsal; K, fourth tarsal; L, caudal metatarsal tuberosity.

Fracture

1. Mandible

Fractures of the lower jaw are caused by various forms of trauma but occur predominantly in male animals during the rutting seasons. In female, it follows car accident.  It was treated by either wooden support, metallic support, bone wiring or plate and screw, and interamedulary pinning.

Figure 36:  Animal with jaw fracture after operation.

Figure 37:  Lateral radiograph of the head showing fixation of the mandibular fracture with plate and screw.

Figure 38:  Mandibilar fracture fixed with an intramedullary pin.

Radius and ulna

This is a common fracture and may be simple or compound. Supporting the leg in a plaster of Baris cast may be satisfactory. In this cases, the camel should be secured in sternal recumbence for 1 month. However radius and ulna fracture in young animals may be treated with modified rush pin.

Figure 39:  Lateral radiograph of transverse fracture of radius and ulna before and after healing.

Figure 40:  Lateropalmar radiograph before and after surgery. Note that the fractured radius is fixed with modified rush pins.

Metacarpus and metatarsus

This is the most frequent type of fracture in camel and mostly often occurs in animals up to 1-2 month old when the leg is trodden on by the mother. It can be simple or compound, transverse, oblique or slightly spiral. Most of them are mid-shaft fracture but some may occur near the proximal or distal extremities.

Figure 41:  Compound metatarsal fracture.

Figure 42:  Lateral radiograph of compound transverse metacarpal fracture.

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Figure 43:  A. Transverse metacarpal fracture. B. Old comminuted metatarsal fracture.

Femur

Femoral fractures occur as a result of trauma from mother or due to car accidents.

Figure 44:  Lateral radiograph of a metaphyseal femoral fracture treated by lag screw and bone plate. 

Tibia

Fractures of the tibia may be spiral transverse or comminuted. Fracture of the proximal part can be treated with plates and screw inserted from the lateral side. Plaster of Bares cast or vet cast may be appropriate in animal up to one year of age.

Figure 45:  A. Spiral tibial fracture. B Comminuted tibial fracture.

Digits

Fractures of the digits particularly the first phalanx are very common. They are mostly simple and comminuted resulting from car accidents. The foot is supported in a cast reinforced with aluminum or metal bars in semi-flexion. In some instance fractures can be fixed with plates and screw. |Screws applied to the bone through cranial approach.

Figure 46:  Bilateral comminuted fracture of the digits treated by plate and screws.