33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction: Bone deformities can be life threatening for adult horses. We describe a chronic middle phalanx fracture and medial collapse resulting in varus deformity and lameness, resolved with a combined technique.

Materials and Methods: A standard approach was performed. A needle was placed through the skin parallel to the fetlock joint and another to the distal interphalangeal joint. Two sagittal lines were digitally drawn through the second phalanx and the metatarsus. At their intersection, we placed two more needles parallel to those of the fetlock and distal interphalangeal joint obtaining an angle of 13°. With an oscillating saw, we cut a wedge of the first phalanx, perpendicular to the surface of the phalanx and the above-mentioned lines. The reduction stabilized with a 3-hole custom-manufactured locking plate and two 5.5 mm cortical interfragmentary compression screws at each side of the plate. The anatomical planes were routinely closed. Post-operatively, an acrylic cast was maintained for 1.5 months.

Results: Thirteen weeks after surgery, the horse showed bone bridging and acceptable realignment. A shoe with lateral extension to compensate for the remaining varus was placed.

Conclusions: We solved an angular deviation successfully with a wedge ostectomy stabilized through pastern arthrodesis with a single plate and two transarticular screws in an adult horse, being a suitable alternative for these cases.