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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(4); 497; doi: 10.3390/ani15040497

Return to Athletic Activity of a Shetland Pony Mare with Coxofemoral Luxation Treated by Femoral Head Ostectomy.

Abstract: Femoral head ostectomy is considered a salvage procedure in the treatment of chronic coxofemoral joint luxation in small equids. Permanent lameness of varying degrees, largely depending on the animal's weight, and potential contralateral limb deformity may occur. The purpose of this study was to report the outcome of a small equid that, despite undergoing a femoral head ostectomy for a chronic coxofemoral joint luxation, was able to return to being ridden by children and to athletic activities. Methods: An 8-year-old Shetland pony mare (180 kg) was presented for a chronic right hind limb lameness (5/5 AAEP grading score) of 12-days duration caused by a craniodorsal coxofemoral joint luxation and permanent upward fixation of the right patella. A femoral head and neck ostectomy was performed concomitant with desmotomy of the medial patellar ligament. Results: Eighteen months after surgery, the mare began being ridden by children and was used for schooling purposes. Five years post-surgery, she continued her work activities with no apparent signs of lameness or discomfort. Conclusions: Femoral head ostectomy following chronic coxofemoral joint luxation can result in a favorable outcome, with equids weighing up to 180 kg potentially regaining soundness and resuming athletic activities.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-10 PubMed ID: 40002979PubMed Central: PMC11851387DOI: 10.3390/ani15040497Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the long-term outcome of a Shetland pony mare that underwent surgery for chronic hip dislocation and was able to return to normal activities including being ridden by children.

Overview of the Research

The study focused on the case of an 8-year-old Shetland pony mare which presented chronic lameness of the right hind limb. The cause of this condition was identified as a craniodorsal coxofemoral joint luxation – a serious dislocation of the hip joint – which had persisted for 12 days. To address this, the mare underwent a surgery known as femoral head ostectomy, a procedure typically used as a last resort to treat chronic hip joint luxation in small equines.

Surgical Treatment and Post-operative Care

  • The surgery involved removing the head and neck of the femur (the bone in the thigh) to alleviate the luxation. Along with this procedure, a desmotomy of the medial patellar ligament was performed. Desmotomy refers to the cutting or division of a ligament, and was necessary in this instance due to the permanent upward fixation of the right patella or kneecap.
  • After the operations, the pony mare underwent post-operative care and rehabilitation. The recovery and progress of the mare were closely monitored.

Results of the Study

  • Despite the severity of the pony’s condition and the invasive nature of the surgery, the mare showed no signs of lameness or discomfort 18 months post-surgery. At this point, the pony began being ridden by children for schooling purposes.
  • Even five years after the surgery, the pony was still actively participating in her usual activities with no ostensible signs of discomfort or lameness.

Conclusion of the Study

The study concluded that femoral head ostectomy can have a positive outcome in cases of chronic coxofemoral joint luxation in equids weighing up to 180kg. This means that, while considered a salvage procedure, it can lead to a significant improvement and potential resumption of normal, athletic activities in small horses or ponies. The result of this study may have implications for veterinary medicine, particularly in the treatment of severe and chronic coxofemoral joint luxation in small equids.

Cite This Article

APA
Carnevale L, Tagliabue T, Rabbogliatti V, Bona R, Cavallier F. (2025). Return to Athletic Activity of a Shetland Pony Mare with Coxofemoral Luxation Treated by Femoral Head Ostectomy. Animals (Basel), 15(4), 497. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040497

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
PII: 497

Researcher Affiliations

Carnevale, Liliana
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Tagliabue, Tania
  • Independent Researcher, 20100 Milano, Italy.
Rabbogliatti, Vanessa
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Bona, Roberto
  • Independent Researcher, 10100 Torino, Italy.
Cavallier, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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