Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Correcting severe carpal deformities in a young alpaca with screws
By McQuillan, Siobhan et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2021·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Transphyseal screw placement with and without hemicircumferential periosteal transection and elevation for correction of severe bilateral carpal varus deformities in an alpaca cria.
Plain-English summary
A 2.5-month-old female alpaca cria was brought in for severe bending of both front legs, known as carpal varus deformities. X-rays showed significant angles in the legs that couldn't be fixed by simply manipulating them. The veterinarian placed a screw in each leg to help correct the deformities. After eight weeks, one leg improved significantly, while the other still had some bending, leading to a second procedure. Five weeks later, both legs were straightened, and the cria was walking normally, much to the owner's satisfaction.
People also search for: alpaca leg deformity treatment · carpal varus in alpacas · alpaca cria surgery recovery
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2.5-month-old 17.5-kg female alpaca cria was presented for evaluation and treatment of severe bilateral carpal varus deformities. CLINICAL FINDINGS: No lameness was evident at a walk, and neither carpal varus deformity could be corrected by means of manipulation. Radiography revealed severe varus of the left (27°) and right (21°) carpal regions. No additional conformational abnormalities were detected. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A single 2.7-mm transphyseal cortical screw was placed in the distolateral aspect of the radius in each limb. On reexamination 8 weeks after screw placement, the left carpal varus deformity had corrected from 27° to 2.6°, and the left transphyseal screw was removed. The right carpal varus deformity had improved but was still present (18°), and hemicircumferential periosteal transection and elevation was performed on the mediodistal aspect of the right radius. Five weeks after the second surgery, the right carpal varus deformity had corrected to 2.4°, and the right transphyseal screw was removed. Six months after the second screw removal, both thoracic limbs remained straight, the cria had a normal gait, and the owner was happy with the cosmetic result. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Placement of a single transphyseal cortical screw with or without the addition of hemicircumferential periosteal transection and elevation can provide a favorable outcome in skeletally immature alpacas with severe carpal varus deformities.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34647478/