Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Alpaca with twisted ankle bones and joint slipping treated with screws
By Duesterdieck-Zellmer, Katja F·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2021·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bilateral dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation in an alpaca.
Plain-English summary
A 14-month-old female alpaca was brought in with a 3-week history of limping and swelling in her left hind leg. X-rays showed that her ankle joint was out of place, so the vet performed surgery to stabilize the joint using screws and wire. Although one screw broke after a month, the alpaca's limping improved and she was able to walk normally again. Unfortunately, she developed a similar issue in her other leg seven months later, which was treated successfully, but she was later euthanized due to unrelated health issues.
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Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 14-month-old female alpaca presented with a 3-week history of acute left hind limb lameness and swelling of the left tarsal region. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Radiography revealed intermittent dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: In an attempt to stabilize the talus, screws were placed in the distomedial aspect of the talus and the plantaromedial aspect of the central tarsal bone, and a stainless-steel wire was placed around the screws in a figure-eight pattern. The screw head of the proximal screw broke within 4 weeks after surgery, but subluxation did not recur, and the lameness resolved. Seven months later, the same condition was diagnosed in the opposite hind limb and was treated similarly. Implants remained intact on this side, but the animal started to show signs of pain and inability to flex the tarsal joint, prompting removal of the distal screw. Subsequently, the animal became sound and produced 2 healthy crias, but was euthanatized 4 years after the second surgery because of coccidiosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dorsal rotation of the talus with tibiotarsal, talocalcaneal, and proximal intertarsal joint subluxation is a sporadic condition in New World camelids. This report provides the first account of successful treatment by surgical stabilization of the medial aspect of the proximal intertarsal joint.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34890361/