Management of acquired flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint in Equidae.

This research looked at a sample of fifteen horses suffering from different degrees of flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint and evaluated the effectiveness of various treatments according to the severity of the condition. It discovered that the success of the treatment, which resulted in the horse’s ability to return to regular work, largely depended on the severity of the initial deformity.

Research Procedure

• The research involved fifteen horses presenting with flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint, a condition characterized by an abnormally bent limb often affecting the horse’s performance.
• The condition of each horse was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. This classification was done based on clinical signs observable and radiographic imaging of the affected joint.
• Different treatments were administered to the horses depending on the severity of their condition.

Treatment Methods

• Horses with mild deformities were treated through corrective trimming and shoeing. This non-invasive method involved the trimming of the horse’s hoof to encourage correct alignment and a special shoe to support this correction.
• Horses with moderate deformities were treated with a medical procedure known as desmotomy, specifically of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon, followed by corrective shoeing. Desmotomy is a surgical procedure that cuts ligaments, in this case, to help correct the deformity.
• Horses with severe deformities had desmotomies performed on the accessory ligaments of both deep and superficial digital flexor tendons, followed by corrective shoeing. Desmotomy on both these tendons necessitates more intervention, which implies more severe cases.

Research Results

• In this long-term study, after the administration of the respective treatments, the horses were observed to note the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Four horses with mild flexural deformity and four horses with moderate deformity who had been treated accordingly were able to return to useful work, indicative of treatment success.
• However, none of the horses with severe flexural deformity treated with the most invasive desmotomy and subsequent shoeing method showed enough improvement to withstand strenuous athletic training, demonstrating a lack of treatment success for severe cases in this particular study.