Angular Limb Deformity and Mandibular Fracture

Last week a 4 month old filly came in for surgery to help fix her angular limb deformity. This can occur with a medial or lateral deviation of the limb. The cause of this deformity is multifactorial and can range from being born with it or multiple developmental factors after birth. Radiographs were taken to help determine the best therapy and as a prognostic indicator.

Pre- surgical carpus radiographs

Note the filly's right front is convex on the inside at the level of the carpus

Dr. Devine performed a transphyseal bridging on her right limb. This procedure is performed when the deformity is 15 degrees or greater. There are multiple techniques for this but the basic premise of is to slow the grow on the convex surface with bone plates, screws, or wires to allow the concave side to catch up. The implants are placed on either side of the growth plate. The down side to this option to correct her deformity is that it requires a second surgery to remove the implants once the limb is straight. If not removed in time, the limb can overcorrect.This filly will be monitored by her referring veterinarian until her screws and wire are ready to be removed. 

Post surgery radiograph of the carpus with bone screws and wires

Last Wednesday a 1 month old Quarter Horse colt returned with a suspected mandibular fracture. He actually foaled out at the clinic so it was sad to see him return. Radiographs were taken to confirm the fracture. It is suspected that the mare did it to him but the incident was not observed. 

The next day Dr. Devine performed surgery on the colt to insert a pin into his mandible to hold the bones in place while they heal. The pin will be removed in 4-6 weeks once the mandible is healed. 

Pin inserted into left mandible

Placing the pin

The foal woke up from surgery like nothing happened and was extremely eager to nurse. He is a tough little guy and never acted painful and has been extremely active since surgery. Unfortunately, Sunday the colt had a couple neurologic episodes such as circling only to the right and seizures. He was given diazepam (valium) IV and placed on oral Phenobarbital. Thankfully he has not had anymore episodes since Sunday and is back to his normal happy self. It is not quite clear why this occurred. His antibiotics were switched to one that can cross the blood brain barrier to hopefully take care of any possible infection that may be in his nervous system. He will remain on the oral Phenobarbital for 1-2 months in case there is some underlying neurologic factor that may have caused the seizures. 

Yesterday he was back to being a silly boy playing and giving kisses