Viskjer et al: Surgical management of luxation of the superficial digital flexor muscle tendon (SDFT) using a modified block recession calcaneoplasty without subsequent tarsal joint immobilization
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2026
🔍 Key Findings
- Modified block recession calcaneoplasty restored full clinical function in all dogs (11 limbs in 9 dogs) at long-term follow-up.
- Objective gait function improved significantly, with symmetry index improving from 0.20 ± 0.13 preoperatively to 0.05 ± 0.03 at long-term follow-up (p = .03).
- No routine postoperative tarsal immobilization was used, yet stable tendon positioning and excellent outcomes were achieved in most cases.
- Overall complication rate was 45%, including 18% major complications requiring revision surgery and 27% minor complications.
- Only one reluxation occurred, secondary to fracture of an overly narrow medial calcaneal wall; successful revision prevented further recurrence.
- CT confirmed persistent deepening of the calcaneal groove and uneventful healing with variable osseous remodeling at long-term follow-up.
- Ultrasonography demonstrated normalization of tendon fiber architecture at long-term evaluation despite heterogeneous appearance in many tendons at 6 weeks.
- Most dogs were Shetland Sheepdogs (8/9), supporting breed predisposition, and all luxations were lateral.
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Multiple Choice Questions on this study
In Viskjer 2026 et al., on SDFT luxation surgery, what was the primary objective of performing a modified block recession calcaneoplasty?
In Viskjer 2026 et al., on SDFT luxation surgery, which postoperative management strategy was intentionally omitted in most cases?
In Viskjer 2026 et al., on SDFT luxation surgery, what major complication resulted in reluxation of the tendon?
In Viskjer 2026 et al., on SDFT luxation surgery, how did the long-term symmetry index compare with preoperative values?
In Viskjer 2026 et al., on SDFT luxation surgery, which breed represented the majority of affected dogs in the study?
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