Rupture of the intercondylar ligament in intertarsal joints of broiler fowls.

On examination of the intertarsal joints of approximately 150 lame broiler fowls, the intercondylar ligament was found to be ruptured, either partially or totally, in 22 birds. In some cases, rupture of the intercondylar ligament occurred in joints with gross angulation and usually in association with collateral ligament instability. In other birds, intercondylar ligament rupture occurred in limbs with minimal angulation but often with concomitant ligament or tendon failure in the same or contralateral limb. A fibrovascular layer was frequently identified between collateral ligaments and their distal tibiotarsal attachment. Haemorrhage in the fibrovascular tissue appears to be responsible for the establishment of the cyst-like structures which were present in some distal tibiotarsi.