Surgical correction of angular limb deformities in foals: a retrospective study

Abstract

The outcome of surgical treatment of angular limb deformities in 29 foals was evaluated through long-term monitoring of athletic performance. Foals were placed into 1 of 2 groups, depending on the site of the angular limb deformity. In group 1 foals, the deformity involved the carpus of distal end of the radius. In group 2 foals, the deformity involved the distal end of the 3rd metacarpal or metatarsal bone. Group 1 contained 20 foals and group 2 contained 11 foals. Two foals were in both groups. Sixteen foals in group 1 and 4 foals in group 2 progressed to some form of athletic use. The underlying reasons for the failures in both groups was poor selection of cases and inappropriate surgical treatment.