Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical fixator used to correct foal's twisted hind leg bone
By Porter, E G et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2014·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hinged circular fixator construct for correction of congenital metatarsal deformity in a foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A five-week-old American Quarter Horse colt was brought in for a left hind leg deformity and lameness. X-rays showed a specific bone deformity in the leg, so the vet performed surgery to correct it and used a special external fixator to help the bone heal properly. Although there were some complications, including an infection and issues with the supporting tendons, the fixator was kept in place for about five months. Ultimately, the surgery helped correct the deformity, and the colt was able to walk normally again without lameness.
People also search for: horse leg deformity treatment · Quarter Horse lameness · foal surgery recovery
Abstract
A five-week-old American Quarter Horse colt was presented for evaluation of a left hindlimb deformity and lameness. Radiographs of the left hindlimb revealed a varus deformity with recurvatum originating in the mid-diaphysis of the third metatarsal bone. Surgical correction was undertaken by performing an osteotomy through the centre of rotation of angulation located within the mid-diaphysis of the third metatarsal bone, and a four-ring hinged circular external fixator construct was applied. Distraction of the osteotomy site was performed over an 11 day period. Notable complications included failure of a fixation pin, infection of the surgical site, and temporary laxity of the supporting tendons and ligaments of the contralateral metatarsophalangeal joint. The fixator was maintained until there was sufficient bone formation to allow frame removal, 152 days after the initial surgery. Use of a hinged circular construct allowed for partial correction of the deformity with resultant lengthening and resolution of the lameness in this colt.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24226553/