Surgical Management of Femorotibial Joint Luxation with Hinged Transarticular External Fixation in a Blue-and-Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna): A Case Report

Authors

  • Suttida Thongin Panalai Veterinary Hospital, 100/5 Pakkret, Pakkret district, Nonthaburi, 11120, Thailand
  • Sasiwimon Sae-lim Panalai Veterinary Hospital, 100/5 Pakkret, Pakkret district, Nonthaburi, 11120, Thailand
  • Jurairat Thiratantikul Panalai Veterinary Hospital, 100/5 Pakkret, Pakkret district, Nonthaburi, 11120, Thailand
  • Benchapol Lorsunyaluck Panalai Veterinary Hospital, 100/5 Pakkret, Pakkret district, Nonthaburi, 11120, Thailand

Keywords:

Avian, Orthopedics, Transarticular, External fixation

Abstract

This case report discusses hinged transarticular external fixation to manage femorotibial joint luxation in a blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna), emphasizing the relative infrequency and complexity of this orthopedic challenge in avian medicine. An 11-year-old macaw was presented to the exhibit with acute non-weight-bearing of the right leg and associated joint swelling for three days following trauma. Conservative management alone was inadequate to restore joint stability and function due to anatomical factors, necessitating surgical intervention. The surgical technique utilizing a Fixateur Externe du Service de Santé des Armées (FESSA) hinged linear transarticular external fixator (HLTEF), was appropriate for the femorotibial joint's anatomical and biomechanical aspects of the avian species. Providing stabilization of the femorotibial joint and restricting the range of motion is crucial for preserving joint and muscle function. After the surgery, the macaw showed a good recovery without complications. The external fixator remained stable, enabling the bird to perch. The external fixator was removed after three weeks. Six months postoperatively, the macaw demonstrated normal utilization of its leg, with no evidence of recurrent joint dislocation and full functional recovery.

References

Azmanis PN. The effect of early physical therapy after experimental stifle luxation in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), managed with a combination of extracapsular stabilization technique and FESSA hinged linear external skeletal fixator (FESSA-HLESF) [Internet]. Zurich Open Repository and Archive. 2011 [cited 2025 Jul 29]. Available from: http://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-54244.

Azmanis PN, Voss K, Hatt JM. Evaluation of Short-term Outcomes of Experimental Stifle Luxation in Feral Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) Treated with a Hinged Transarticular External Skeletal Fixator and Physical Therapy. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med. 2014;12(2):158-67.

Azmanis PN, Wernick MB, Hatt JM. Avian luxations: occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment. Vet Q. 2014;34(1):11-21.

Bonin G, Lauer KS, Guzman DSM, Nevarez J, Tully NT, Hosgood G, et al. Radiographic Evaluation of Perching-Joint Angles in Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis), and Barred Owls (Strix varia). J Avian Med Surg. 2009;23(2):91-100.

Bowles HL, Zantop DW. A novel surgical technique for luxation repair of the femorotibial joint in a monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). J Avian Med Surg. 2002;16(1):34-8.

Carpenter JW, Marion CJ. Exotic Animal Formulary. 5th ed. Missouri: Elsevier; 2018.

Chinnadurai SK, Spodnick G, Degernes L, DeVoe RS, Marcella-Little DJ. Use of an extracapsular stabilization technique to repair cruciate ligament ruptures in two avian species. J Avian Med Surg. 2009;23(4):307-13.

González MS. Avian articular orthopedics. Vet Clin Exot Anim. 2019;22:239-51.

Harris MC, Diaz-Figueroa O, Lauer SK, Burkert B, Tully TN. Complications associated with conjoined intramedullary pin placement for a femorotibial joint luxation in a Solomon Island Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus solomonensis). J Avian Med Surg. 2007;21(4):299-306.

Hatt JM, Christen C, Sandmeier P. Clinical application of an external fixator in the repair of bone fractures in 28 birds. Vet Rec. 2007;160(6):188-94.

Luparello M, Faraci L, Giuseppe MD, Crosta L. Correction of neonatal stifle luxation in a 35-day-old cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). J Small Anim Pract. 2016;57(11):653-4.

McRee AE, Tully TN, Nevarez JG, Sumner J, da Cunha AF. A novel surgical approach to avian femorotibiotarsal luxation repair. J Avian Med Surg. 2017;31(2):156-64.

Orosz SE, Echols MS, Redig PT. Avian Surgical Anatomy and Orthopedic Management. 2nd ed. Oregon: Teton NewMedia; 2023.

Simonis KM, Cowan ML, Williams L, Baron HR. Surgical Repair of Psittacine Femorotibial Luxation: A Case Series. J Avian Med Surg. 2024;38(1):34-45.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-17

How to Cite

Thongin, S., Sae-lim, S., Thiratantikul, J., & Lorsunyaluck, B. (2025). Surgical Management of Femorotibial Joint Luxation with Hinged Transarticular External Fixation in a Blue-and-Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna): A Case Report. Journal of Applied Animal Science, 18(2), 27–38. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jaas_muvs/article/view/276228

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2025): July - December

Section

Case report

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Mahidol University Faculty of Veterinary Science

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Published articles are under the copyright of the Journal of Applied Animal Science (JAAS) effective when the article is accepted for publication. The editorial boards claim no responsibility for the content or opinions expressed by the authors of individual articles in this journal. Partially or totally publication of an article elsewhere is possible only after the consent from the editors.