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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Wedge osteotomy as a treatment for angular deformity of the fetlock in horses.

Journal:
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Year:
1983
Authors:
Fretz, P B & McIlwraith, C W
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

Five young horses with a condition called fetlock varus deformity, which means their fetlocks were angled inward by 8 degrees or more, underwent a specific surgery called wedge osteotomy on the lower part of their leg bones. Three of these horses were treated at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, while two were at Colorado State University. They were chosen for surgery because they were older than 120 days, showed no signs of lameness, and had no joint disease. The surgery was successful for all of the horses.

Abstract

Five young horses with fetlock varus deformities of 8 degrees or greater were treated by means of wedge osteotomy of the distal end of the 3rd metacarpal or metatarsal bone. Three patients were admitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and 2 to Colorado State University. Their selection as surgical patients was based on the following criteria: (1) an angular limb deformity of 8 degrees or greater, (2) patient older than 120 days, (3) no evidence of lameness, and (4) no evidence of degenerative joint disease. The surgery was successful in all cases.

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6826448/