Page 64 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Musculoskeletal system: 1.2 The foal and developing animal 39

VetBooks.ir desmotomy may be performed, as similar for acquired medication, more severe cases will require a more
proactive approach. As described earlier, congenital
cases, but it is seldom necessary. The surgical tech-
nique is slightly more difficult due to the small size and
frequently seen in combination with a flexural defor-
less clear definition of the inferior check ligament. flexural deformity of the MCP/MTP joint is most
mity of the DIP joint. Treatment of the latter, by
CONGENITAL FLEXURAL supporting the limb in as much extension as possible
DEFORMITY OF THE METACARPO/ using splints or a cast, has been described previously.
METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT It is imperative that a cast or splint is changed every
few days to progressively extend the affected joint(s)
Congenital flexural deformity of the MCP/metatar- and to avoid pressure sores in these animals with
sophalangeal (MTP) joint may be uni- or bilateral very vulnerable skin. Oxytetracycline may also be
and often involves the distal joints as well. The foal used in such cases as previously described.
tends to knuckle over at the fetlock and may even Surgical intervention with inferior check liga-
walk on the dorsal aspect of the fetlock in severe ment desmotomy may be required in unresponsive or
cases. This is the most common congenital flexural severe cases, where the distal joints are also involved.
deformity and the hindlimbs are more commonly
affected (Fig. 1.68). CONGENITAL FLEXURAL DEFORMITY
Treatment will vary according to the degree of OF THE CARPAL JOINT
the deformity. While mild cases may resolve with
exercise, bandage support and the use of NSAID Congenital flexural deformity of the carpal joint
is usually bilateral, with many cases exhibiting
normal distal limb conformation. The condi-
1.68 tion is quite common, with affected foals either
able to stand but ‘buckling’ forward at the carpus
or, in severe cases, unable to stand (Fig. 1.69).

1.69

Fig. 1.69 Older suckling Thoroughbred foal with
history of a bilateral carpal flexural deformity at birth
Fig. 1.68 Newborn Thoroughbred foal with a that was not corrected. The foal is shown at 9 weeks of
congenital flexural deformity of the right hind age with bilateral severe carpal flexural and secondary
metatarsophalangeal joint. varus angular limb deformities.