Osteology and Radiography of the Normal Tarsal Joint in the Khuzestan River Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

BACKGROUND: As regards the role of the hind limb in propulsion, it is obvious that the tarsus forms a powerful center movement, it begins upon the point of the hock that the powerful extensor muscles which propel the body exert much of their energy. Tarsus injuries of water buffalo are the commonest limb joint disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to an access accurate detailed osteology and radiology of tarsus Khuzestan river buffaloes. METHODS: Ten joints of the five water buffaloes aged approximately two to three years were obtained from Ahvaz abattoir. In addition, the ten normal tarsal joints of five water buffaloes referred to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were examined radiographically. Radiographic examination was performed in dorsoplantar, lateromedial, dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique and plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique, and flexed lateral projections. RESULTS: Unlike the dromedary camel, the general configuration of river buffalo tarsal bones and cow shares many similarities; however, there are concrete differences between buffalo and ox on the shape and extension of articular surfaces of tarsal bones. Unlike the ox, the metatarsal sesamoid bone was not noted radiographically in water buffalo, similar to that in horse and dromedary camel. The dorsoplantar view was optimal for the evaluation of articular surfaces and joint spaces of tarsocrural as well as the intratarsal joints. The dorsoplantar view was the best for evaluation of joint spaces of tarsocrural as well as the intratarsal joints, the lateromedial view for talocalcaneal joint, the dorsolateral-plantaromedial view for medial aspect of the tarsocrural joint, and the plantarolateral-dorsomedial view for the plantar aspect of the sustentaculum tali and the lateral trochlea of the talus. CONCLUSIONS: The normal appearance of bony structures of tarsus described in this study provided basic reference data for radiographic investigations of the water buffalo tarsal disorders. ___________________________________