Case report Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Foot Knuckling in a Horse

Abstract

A horse with flexural deformity of the metatarsophalangeal joint was evaluated and the condition was diagnosed as chronic contraction of both superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. Evaluation was made on the basis of clinical signs and visually observed lesions. The horse was treated with tenotomy of both superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. In this study, the horse responded enough to withstand light draught work, although a firm swelling on the proximal part of the hind fetlock is still present. The owner quit the treatment programme and we were unable to continue monitoring the development of the condition.