Sophie Bennett
Slipped tendon, also referred to as perosis, is an orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint in a chicken's leg. This condition can cause the chicken's leg to become deformed and inflamed. It is important to treat this condition as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to give the chicken the best chance of recovery. Treatment options include surgery, splinting, and physical manipulation of the tendon back into place, followed by wrapping the joint with tape or a cast to stabilize it. Providing proper nutrition and supplements can also help support the chicken's recovery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a slipped tendon? | An orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint. |
| What causes it? | Nutritional deficiencies in the diet, existing leg deformities, and genetics. |
| How to fix it? | Pull the leg back and manipulate the tendon back into position. |
| How to know if it's fixed? | You will feel it snap back into place. |
| What to do after fixing it? | Wrap the joint area with sports tape or other tape to help hold it there. |
| How to prevent it? | Provide a diet rich in manganese, biotin, choline, niacin, and folic acid. |
| What if it can't be fixed? | Surgery may be required, especially if the bird has a rotated femur. |
| What if surgery is not an option? | In some cases, the bird may need to be euthanized to avoid suffering. |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify a slipped tendon
Slipped tendon, also referred to as "perosis", is an orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint. This often results in impaired locomotion and the chicken may walk hunched down or squat on its hocks. The condition usually manifests as an enlargement of the hock joint, followed by varying degrees of twisting of the tibiotarsus and bending of the tarsometatarsus bones.
To identify a slipped tendon, you can try the following:
- Hold the joint between your thumb and finger and roll it back and forth. If the tendon has slipped, you should feel it snap back into place.
- Pull the upper part of the bird's leg a bit behind the normal position and then carefully straighten the leg as if the bird were stretching. Press gently against the side of the tendon if needed, and it should pop back into place with little to no pain.
- If the tendon has slipped in both legs, the chicken will stand and walk hunched down or squatting on its hocks and may use its wings for balance.
It is important to act promptly if you suspect a slipped tendon, as the longer the condition sits untreated, the more challenging it may be to correct. Additionally, a slipped tendon has been associated with nutritional deficiencies in the chicken's diet, so ensuring a well-balanced diet is essential for prevention and treatment.
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Repositioning the tendon
Slipped tendon, also referred to as "perosis", is an orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint. This can happen in one or both legs. If both tendons are affected, the chicken will walk hunched down or squatting on its hocks and may use its wings for balance.
If the condition is caught early, the tendon can sometimes be repositioned manually. To do this, gently pull the upper part of the bird's leg a bit behind the normal position and then carefully straighten the leg as if the bird were stretching. Press gently against the side of the tendon if needed, and it should pop back into place with little to no pain.
If the tendon has been out of place for more than a few days, attempting to reposition it may cause the chicken unbearable pain and could result in further damage. In this case, surgery may be required.
After repositioning the tendon, it is important to wrap the joint area with sports tape or other tape to help hold it in place. Be sure to change the tape after a few days to ensure it doesn't restrict circulation. It can also be helpful to put the chicken in a sling or chair, or to put its leg in a cast for a few days while the tendon re-aligns.
In some cases, despite prompt treatment and care, the tendon may repeatedly slip and cannot be fixed. In these situations, the bird's quality of life may be severely compromised, and the difficult decision to euthanize may need to be made.
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Wrapping the joint area
Identify the Slipped Tendon:
Begin by gently pulling the upper part of the chicken's leg slightly behind its normal position. Straighten the leg as if the bird were stretching it back in a typical stretching motion. You may need to apply gentle pressure against the side of the tendon to guide it back into place. If the tendon has been out of place for an extended period, it may be challenging to manipulate it back into position.
Wrapping Techniques:
Once the tendon is in place, use sports tape or other types of adhesive tape to wrap the joint area securely. It is recommended to use a thin strip of tape and wrap it several times around the joint. Ensure that the tape is not too tight, as this can restrict circulation. You may also use a splint or a cast to support the joint and restrict movement.
Chick Chair or Sling:
After wrapping, place the chicken in a Chick Chair or a chicken sling to keep its legs suspended and prevent them from reaching the ground. This helps reduce the weight on the legs and allows for more comfortable healing. Ensure the legs are in a normal bent position, not hanging straight down.
Monitor and Change Bandages:
It is important to monitor the chicken's condition and change the tape or bandages regularly, such as after a few days, to ensure proper blood circulation. Keep an eye on the bird's comfort and mobility, and adjust the wrappings or supports as needed.
Vitamin Supplements:
Provide the chicken with vitamin supplements, such as B complex or those containing B2 riboflavin, to support overall health and promote the healing process. Additionally, ensure the chicken receives adequate nutrition, including essential minerals like manganese, to prevent future issues like Perosis, which can lead to slipped tendons.
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Preventing further rotation of the lower leg
Slipped tendon, or perosis, is an orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint. This can lead to inflammation and deformity of the joint, as well as twisting of the tibiotarsus and bending of the tarsometatarsus bones. Young chicks are particularly susceptible to this condition, which is often associated with nutritional deficiencies, existing leg deformities, or genetic factors.
To prevent further rotation of the lower leg in chickens with a slipped tendon, here are some measures that can be taken:
- Early intervention is critical. Address the issue as soon as possible to minimise swelling and deformity, and to reduce the risk of pain and damage when attempting to correct the tendon alignment.
- Manipulate the tendon back into position: Gently pull the upper part of the bird's leg a little behind the normal position and carefully straighten it as if the bird were stretching. You should feel the tendon snap back into place. This method is less painful than simply pushing the tendon back with your finger.
- Use tape or a bandage: Secure the joint area with sports tape or other types of tape, wrapping it several times around the joint. This will help hold the tendon in place. Change the tape after a few days to maintain proper circulation.
- Use a splint or cast: Place the bird in a Chick/Chicken Sling or Chair, or create a cast (e.g. from a bendable drinking straw) to support the leg for a few days while the realignment stabilises. Ensure the bird's legs do not touch the ground during this period.
- Provide optimal nutrition: Support bone growth and development by providing a diet rich in manganese, as well as biotin, choline, niacin, and folic acid.
- Physiotherapy: Perform gentle physiotherapy sessions to help the bird regain strength and mobility in the affected leg.
- Vitamins and supplements: Administer vitamins such as B complex, B12, or those containing B2 riboflavin to promote healing and strengthen the bird's overall health.
It is important to closely monitor the bird's progress and adjust the tape, bandage, or cast as needed. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required if the tendon repeatedly slips out of place or if there is a rotated femur.
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Signs to look out for
A slipped tendon can occur in either or both legs of a chicken. The condition usually manifests as an enlargement of the hock joint, followed by varying degrees of twisting of the tibiotarsus and bending of the tarsometatarsus bones. The chicken's foot and shank extend laterally from the body, and the bird may stand and walk hunched down or squatting on its hocks ("elbows"), sometimes using its wings for balance.
If the tendon has slipped, you will feel it snap back into place (and back out again if the bone is not sufficiently developed). If the tendon has been out of place for more than a few days, it may be extremely painful for the chicken and cause further damage.
The condition usually occurs in young chicks less than six weeks old and has been associated with nutritional deficiencies in the diet, particularly a lack of manganese, biotin, choline, niacin, or folic acid. It can also be caused by existing leg deformities or genetics.
If you suspect your chicken has a slipped tendon, it is important to act promptly to fix the tendon and provide the bird with the necessary vitamins and minerals to support bone growth.
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Frequently asked questions
If the tendon is slipped in one leg, the chicken's leg may rotate out to the side or twist underneath the bird. If the tendon is slipped in both legs, the chicken will walk hunched down or squatting on its hocks and may use its wings for balance.
Hold the joint between your thumb and finger and roll it back and forth. If the tendon has slipped, you will feel it snap back into place. Then, wrap the joint area with sports tape or other tape to help hold it there.
Slipped tendon, also referred to as "perosis", is an orthopedic condition that occurs when the gastrocnemius tendon slips out of alignment from the intercondylar groove of the hock joint. It is often associated with nutritional deficiencies in the diet, especially in manganese, biotin, choline, niacin, or folic acid.
If the tendon cannot be fixed, some alternatives include splinting the leg to prevent further rotation, providing physical therapy, or in severe cases, euthanizing the chicken.
