Retrospective Study

Treatment of acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the horse: a retrospective study of 51 cases

Authors: , , ,

Abstract

Flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint is an important disorder in horses, which can be acquired during the first year of life, often as a result of lateralization during grazing. In this retrospective study, the medical files of 51 cases presented at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University (1999-2013) were analyzed, followed by a telephone questionnaire. In 65% of the conservatively treated patients, the hoof conformation corrected completely, which was not significantly different from what was seen in the surgically treated group (complete correction in 56% of cases). Foals treated conservatively before the age of six months and foals treated surgically before twelve months of age, had a significantly better chance of a successful correction than older foals. Moreover, cases in which treatment did not restore the hoof conformation completely, presented a significantly higher chance of (persisting) lameness and were significantly less likely to have an athletic career. Finally, this study proved a significant association between the hoof conformation of the dam and her foals.

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How to Cite: Carlier, S. , Oosterlinck, M. , Martens, A. & Pille, F. (2016) “Treatment of acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the horse: a retrospective study of 51 cases”, Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift. 85(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v85i1.16402