Stifle bruising in bobby calves

Summary

The incidence of bruising on the lateral stifle region was assessed in 16,400 young calves slaughtered during one week at an Auckland abattoir. Fifty percent of calves slaughtered had bruised stifles and in 30% this was the only bruised region of the carcass.

The distribution of the lesions was determined by careful dissection. Stifle bruising was usually bilateral and the anteriolateral muscles distal to the femorotibial joint were consistently involved. The gross and histological appearances were consistent with trauma caused by a blunt lateral force, and probably occurred during transport.