In this study, 10 clinically healthy adult mongrel dogs were submitted to the temporary immobilization of the hock with external skeletal fixation. The aim of this procedure was to evaluate, using a manual goniometer, the flexion, the extension and the range of motion of the tarsocrural joint after immobilization in a functional angle of 135º for 45 days. The animals presented discomfort in relation to the articular manipulation for the goniometric exam on the day of the removal of the apparatus, demonstrating pain in the passive flexion and extension of the limb, and such difficulty disappeared after three days. It was observed that the temporary immobilization of the articulation obtained by the external skeletal fixation promotes statistically significant loss in the degree of flexion, extension and range of motion of the tarsocrural joint immediately after the removal of the apparatus. However, after seven days of this removal, for extension, and fifteen days, for flexion and range of motion of the articulation, this loss is not verified.
hock; orthopaedics; articular; dog
