Wedge osteotomy as a treatment for angular deformity of the fetlock in 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.
Publication Date: 1983-02-01 PubMed ID: 6826448
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- Case Reports
- Journal Article
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Summary
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The research article discusses the use of wedge osteotomy – a surgical procedure, in treating major angular deformities in the leg joints of horses. The study involved five horses undergoing this procedure, which resulted in successful outcomes for all.
Overview of Research
- This research focuses on a surgical procedure known as ‘wedge osteotomy’ and its efficacy in tackling angular deformities in fetlock joints in horses. The fetlock is a horse’s ankle equivalent, and an angular deformity alters the alignment of the leg, potentially impairing the horse’s movement.
- The researchers used five young horses that had fetlock varus deformities of 8 degrees or greater for this study. Here, ‘varus’ refers to an inward deformation of the joint, with an angle larger than the typical alignment.
- These horses were admitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Colorado State University for the surgery.
Selection Criteria for the Study
- The horses included in this study were specifically selected observing a set of criteria:
- They exhibited an angular limb deformity of 8 degrees or more.
- They were older than 120 days, which indicates that the issue is not a temporary one associated with the early stage of development.
- They showed no signs of lameness, which could otherwise impact the outcome of the surgery.
- They showed no signs of degenerative joint disease, which could complicate the recovery process or the efficacy of the surgery.
Results and Conclusion
- All the five horses that underwent the surgical procedure experienced successful outcomes according to the study. This provides a promising insight about the potential of wedge osteotomy in treating considerable angular deformities in horses.
- The outcomes suggest that this method could be a potential treatment option for similar cases in the future. However, as the research includes a relatively small sample size, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate these results.
Cite This Article
APA
Fretz PB, McIlwraith CW.
(1983).
Wedge osteotomy as a treatment for angular deformity of the fetlock in horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 182(3), 245-250.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Plates / veterinary
- Female
- Foot / surgery
- Foot Deformities, Acquired / diagnostic imaging
- Foot Deformities, Acquired / surgery
- Foot Deformities, Acquired / veterinary
- Foot Deformities, Congenital
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Metatarsophalangeal Joint / diagnostic imaging
- Osteotomy / methods
- Osteotomy / veterinary
- Radiography
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Modesto RB, Rodgerson DH, Masciarelli AE, Spirito M. Standing placement of transphyseal screw in the distal radius in 8 Thoroughbred yearlings. Can Vet J 2015 Jun;56(6):605-9.
- Epp TL. Step ostectomy as a treatment for varus deformity of a metatarsophalangeal joint in a 4.5-month-old colt. Can Vet J 2007 May;48(5):519-21.
- Caron JP, Fretz PB, Pharr JW, Bailey JV. Bilateral carpus valgus with cranial bowing of the distal radius in a foal. Can Vet J 1986 Jun;27(6):242-4.
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