Page 57 - New Mexico Winter 2021

Above, left: Conservative, non-surgical, treatments for carpal valgus FLD include stall rest, the use of splints or casts on the limb, and manipulation of the hoof with corrective trimming and/or glue on shoes. Above, right: Another common limb deformity to be prepared for is flexural limb deformity (FLD), or what is commonly referred to as “contracted tendons.” – Photos provided
of deviation, and what treatment is best
for each case. Treatment, like cause, falls
into 2 categories: non-surgical or surgical. Conservative, non-surgical, treatments are best for very young foals or those with mild deviation. These treatments include stall rest, the use of splints or casts on the limb, and manipulation of the hoof with corrective trimming and/or glue on shoes. With valgus deformities, the outer hoof wall becomes longer and should be trimmed (minimally and frequently) whereas with varus deformities, the inner wall needs attention. Medial or lateral extensions associated with the glue on shoes can also help push the limb into more appropriate alignment.
Surgical correction of ALD is considered for foals who have not responded to conservative management, those with severe deviations, and older foals who have already completed rapid growth phase. As mentioned, many angular limb deformities will resolve on their own with time and exercise, however if intervention is
required, time is of the essence. The timing of growth plate closure and rapid limb growth determine when surgical intervention should take place. Per the ACVS, available surgical procedures include: 1. Periosteal stripping to increase growth on one side of the growth plate; 2. Transphyseal bridging to slow the growth
at the growth plate on one side and allow the other side to catch up; 3. Transphyseal screw placement to stop the growth at the growth plate; and 4. Corrective osteotomy or ostectomy in cases where the growth plate has already closed, and rotational or long bone deviations are present. The timing of intervention is specific to the affected joint, most commonly the fetlock, carpus, or tarsus (hock). Since each joint is bordered by growth plates and growth plates close at specific time intervals, the surgical procedure chosen will be based on these timings as well. For example, the fetlock joint has the growth plates with the earliest closure times, so surgical intervention must be undertaken at a younger age than for an ALD at the carpus or
tarsus. The moral of the story, however, is that just because your foal is born with a deviation of the limb, doesn’t mean his future is doomed or you’re destined to spend lots of money to try to fix him. Time, while important to keep an eye on, is still your friend in these cases, and these foals will often change dramatically (usually for the better) given a little time.
Another common limb deformity to be prepared for is flexural limb deformity (FLD)
or what is commonly referred to as “contracted tendons”. While the tendon is not actually contracted, and really is just too short relative
to the length of the bones, you’ll more often than not hear this problem referred to in this way. If FLD is present at birth, it is considered congenital. However, FLD can develop as an acquired problem during rapid growth, typically between 4 weeks and 4 months of age or around 1 year of age. These acquired changes develop secondary to nutritional excess, changes in quality of nutrition and mineral imbalances. Congenital FLD is more common in the front
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