I have been writing these articles for many years, and have covered many subjects involving bucking bulls. Occasionally, we like to include specific cases we are presented with, particularly those that are challenging to diagnose or repair.

Accidents Do Happen

13 Bobby Knight, belonging to Gregg Talbert of Cheyenne Wells, Colo. was bucked at an event in Andrews, Texas and as he left the stripping chute was observed to be non-weight bearing on the right rear leg.

It was uncertain whether the injury occurred during the performance or something related to handling after he left the arena. After administering medication to provide pain relief, Mr. Talbert loaded Bobby Knight on a trailer to be transported to our hospital for evaluation.

Upon arrival, he was examined and it was determined the stifle joint was oriented in an unusual position. Palpation of the stifle (anatomically similar to the human knee) was accomplished while restrained in a hydraulic tilt chute. It was determined that 13 Bobby Knight had sustained an avulsion (tear) of the lateral patellar (kneecap) ligament as well as the lateral collateral ligament of the stifle. Surgery was scheduled for that afternoon, even though the bull had endured a long haul.

The window of time for optimal repair was very small andfurther risk of injury was great. This type of injury had never been observed in a mature bucking bull before, and though we had an idea for a surgical solution to the problem, no one could be sure until the damage was evaluated from within. This procedure is commonly preformed in small animals as patellar (kneecap) luxation is common in the small breeds (terriers, poodles) of dogs.

New Challenges

Bobby Knight was mildly sedated and placed on his side by the use of a hydraulic tilt table combined with straps and ropes. After proper positioning on the table, general anesthesia was induced with injectable drugs, followed by the introduction of a silicone breathing tube placed into his trachea, (which has an air cuff built into it to seal off the airway so anesthetic gases cannot escape to the outside of the circuit. Also, the air cuff creates a damming effect preventing the bull from aspirating saliva or other body fluids into the pulmonary tree).

The bull was placed on an anesthetic machine which delivers vaporized drugs in order to maintain the bull in an anesthetic state. The machine turns liquid into vapor and can control the concentration of the drug that is added to the oxygen the animal breathes. Radiographs (x-rays) were taken of the stifle at this time and the hair was clipped from the leg. After a thorough washing of the area, the leg underwent a surgical preparation which is three periods of scrubbing with a tamed iodine solution and cleaning with alcohol.

After completion of the surgical field for sterile surgery, the site was covered with surgical drapes to reduce the possibility of external contamination from the other areas of the body. A site was selected for the surgical incision and this was preformed with a 20-inch incision being the result. Damage to the ligaments was evaluated and a large sterile bar was used to force the patella (kneecap) back into its proper place. Large suture was preplaced in order to create a “false ligament”to help hold the patella in position. After all suture was placed, each suture was tied individually, trying to insure proper tension was placed on the kneecap without applying too much pressure. Either case could cause malfunction in the way the kneecap moved. The torn lateral (outside portion of leg) ligament was repaired after the completion of the patellar replacement and the entire incision was closed.

After completion of the surgery, 13 Bobby Knight was removed from the tilt table, a drug was given to help with pain and he was allowed to recover from the anesthetic. There was great concern among the surgical assistants as to how 13 would recover from the anesthetic. If he fought or struggled excessively he could damage or destroy the repair of the leg, this is always a concern with the recovery period after anesthesia of large animals.

Fortunately, he arose walking on all four legs from the very start, as if nothing had ever happened. The bull was taken to a recovery stall where he was allowed to munch on a slice of prairie hay and relax. He was kept in the surgical barn for two weeks after which he was placed in a small paddock to continue his recovery. Two weeks later he was on his way back to Colorado to rest and recuperate for the next few months.

A complete recovery is expected and return to performing seems very possible at this point in time.