Description
Muscle contracture can occur at any site in the body, but there is a recognised condition involving contracture of the gracilis muscle in dogs. Surgical treatment has been reported to result in dramatic improvement in 100% of cases immediately post-operatively but there is recurrence in less than 6 months..

Cause
The cause is not known.

Breed Occurrence
The disorder is seen primarily in German Shepherd Dogs and other large breeds. It occurs in adults (2-11 years of age, mean 4.7 years).

Signs
Clinical signs include a chronic, gradual onset progressive hindleg lameness resulting in a short stride, outward rotation of the hock and inward turning of the foot and stifle. Usually it is not possible to fully extend the stifle because of the lack of stretch in the affected muscle.

The muscle may be painful when palpated and it feels atrophied and like a firm tendinous band running from the pelvis to the caudal and medial stifle.

Complications

No satisfactory long term treatment

Diagnosis
Physical examination of gait and muscle . 

Treatment
Surgical resection of the tendon has been reported to result in a dramatic improvement in lameness in 100% of cases immediately post-operatively  - but there is recurrence in less than 6 months..

Various medical treatments have been tried including corticosteroids, colchicine, D-penicillamine  and NSAIDs but without success.

Long term problems

Abnormal gait with secondary biomechanical effects on other limbs.