Few reports of methods for managing luxations in birds have been published.2 Coxofemoral luxations are frequently the result of trauma during restraint, or the bird struggling when its leg has been ensnared within a cage structure or fence. Elbow luxations primarily occur in raptors secondary to in-flight trauma. For treatment of luxations, it is crucial to reduce the luxation as early as possible, which minimizes the formation of periarticular fibrosis. The bird's attempts to use the injured extremity often - and very quickly - cause damage to the articular cartilage. In as brief as three days, clinically significant fibrosis occurs and inhibits reduction of the luxation and predisposes the joint to ankylosis. Where articular cartilage is damaged,even with successful luxation reduction and stabilization, it is likely that degenerative changes and osteoarthritis will occur in the future. As many animals with severe degenerative joint disease do not demonstrate overt pain, it is difficult to determine the clinical importance of osteoarthritis in older captive birds, and in free-ranging birds it is even more difficult to assess. Clinically significant arthritis may require years to develop during which time the bird likely will function well.
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