Histopathological evaluation of medial patellar ligament and radiographic evaluation of the stifle joint of upward fixation of patella affected bovines.

Aim: To evaluate the medial patellar ligament by histopathology and stifle joint by radiography of upward fixation of patella affected bovines. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted on 24 clinical cases of bovines. Out of twenty four clinical cases of upward fixation of patella, twelve were buffaloes, six were cows and remaining six were bullocks. Histopathological evaluation of medial patellar ligament from the affected animals and radiographic evaluation of stifle joint were done as per standard procedure. Results: Histopathological observations were made as follows. Nuclei of the fibroblasts were oval shaped and hypertrophied, as compared to thin, elongated normal nuclei. There was an excessive proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. There was a presence of mononuclear cells and fibrin exudates in the surrounding loose connective tissue of the ligament and medial coat of the blood vessels of medial patellar ligament was thickened. Plain radiographs that were taken in the medio-lateral view did not reveal any evidence of upward or dorsal deviation of patella in relation to the femoral condyle. Conclusions: Histopathological evaluation of the medial patellar ligaments of upward fixation of patella affected bovines showed various pathological changes, while radiography of the stifle joint did not confirm the condition.