Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section

HOCK FLEXION

This condition is usually bilateral. They are caused by failure of the hind limbs to extend into the pelvic cavity or by the foot or fetlock catching on the birth canal or pelvic brim; causing the hind limbs to become flexed. It may be diagnosed by palpation of the perineal region and tail of the fetuson vaginal examination.                       

Correction

• The fetus is first repelled by pressing forward in its perineum and the hand then grasps the fetal foot.
• As the foot is drawn back through, the hock is firmly flexed and retropulsion maintained as far as possible.
• Eventually with the digit in the cupped hand the foot is lifted over the pelvic brim and the limb extended in the vagina.
• An alternate method is to supplement manual extension by traction on a snare fixed to the retained foot on the pastern and the snare is placed between the digits so that when traction is applied to it the fetlock and pasterns joints are flexed.
• Now the flexed hock is grasped and repelled forward , while the foot is drown caudally and extended through the birth canal.
• In occasional case where it is impossible to extended the hock simple foetotomy may be performed. Achilles tendon may be severed so as to make maximum possible flexion or the limb may be amputated below the point of hock by means of wire saw.