Alternatives to amputation.

Amputation of the digit of valuable animals is an inappropriate technique for resolving the serious infective processes that involve the important structures of the distal interphalangeal region. Surgeons should be able to recognize the early clinical signs and radiographic indications of three distinct, but interrelated, phenomena--the septic joint, the retroarticular abscess, and the complication of tenovaginitis. Tenovaginitis depends on either the septic joint or retroarticular abscess for its etiology. In any of these complications, the effective treatment will be based on the removal of diseased tissue and on irrigation with drainage of the area, followed by the elimination of mechanical forces or movement in the affected region.