Radiographic studies on joint angle and joint space measurements of distal limb in buffaloes

Thirty clinical cases of female buffaloes were divided in to three groups. Group A: 1.5 to 3 years of age; Group B: 4 to 6 years and group C: more than 6 years. Digital radiographs were taken of both fore and hind limbs in dorsopalmar/dorsoplantar views and in lateral view using 70 kVp and 30 mAs with FFD of 90 cm radiographic factors. Values of joint space and joint angles were measured on radiographs. There was no significant difference in the values of metacarpo-phalangeal joint angle (JA1) and proximal inter-phalangeal joint angle (JA2) of the fore limbs in any of the group, whereas, the values of JA1 and JA2 of hind limb and distal inter-phalangeal joint angle (JA3) of fore limb in the animals of group A was significantly higher than that of other two groups with the minimum in the animals of group C. Metacarpo-phalangeal joint space (JS1) did not show any significant difference between the medial and lateral sides in fore limb in any of the groups. Whereas, JS1 of both medial and lateral sides in hind limb was wider in the animals of group A followed by group B and group C, respectively. In all three groups mean±SE values of proximal inter-phalangeal joint space (JS2) of both medial and lateral sides did not differ significantly in both fore limbs and hind limbs. In groups B and C, mean±SE values of distal inter-phalangeal joint space (JS3) of both medial and lateral sides were significantly higher in fore limb than that of hind limb. However, no significant difference was noticed when comparison was made between values of JS3 of both medial and lateral sides of fore limb and hind limb.