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

Subtitle:Behandeling van verworven retractie van de diepe buigpees bij het paard : een retrospectieve studie van 51 gevallen

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.