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A 25-day-old goat kid was presented for the treatment of lameness in the right forelimb. During the clinical examination, swelling, pain, and valgus were detected in the carpal joint. Radiography demonstrated a 14° carpal valgus centered around the radiocarpal joint. Surgical treatment was chosen as valgus was moderate. A transphyseal staple was placed in the medial distal radius. After 3 months, the implant was removed with the valgus corrected; later, no complications were seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angular front limb deformity (ALD) refers to an excessively curved limb conformation, which is seen in some chondrodysplastic dog breeds. Common characteristics of ALD include carpal valgus (VALG), front limb rotation (ROT), elbow incongruity, and lateral radial head subluxation. These may cause lameness and discomfort in affected dogs. The clinical impact and breed-specific characteristics of front limb conformation in chondrodysplastic breeds are unknown. This prospective and cross-sectional study aimed to investigate differences in front limb conformation between three chondrodysplastic breeds. We further evaluate whether front limb conformation is associated with clinical findings and limb function. We propose novel methods to classify findings in the interosseous space and to quantify lateral radial head subluxation. Data from a total of 224 front limbs from 112 dogs of three chondrodysplastic dog breeds (30 Standard Dachshunds, 29 Skye terriers, and 53 Glen of Imaal terriers) were included in the study. Front limb VALG and ROT were measured with a goniometer. From the radiographs, the elbow joint was graded for incongruity (INC), and the humeroradial angle (HRA) was measured to assess lateral radial subluxation. The association of front limb conformation with clinical signs and limb function was investigated using orthopedic examination, goniometric and kinetic measurements, and radiography. The breeds differed significantly in their front limb conformation. The Dachshund had the least ROT and the least radial head subluxation. The Skye terrier had the most VALG, the most radial head subluxation, and the largest prevalence of moderate and severe INC. The Glen of Imaal terrier had the most ROT. In addition, INC, ROT, VALG, and HRA were found to be independent of each other and were associated with several measurable clinical abnormalities and limb function such as pain, lameness, limited range of motion, and elbow joint osteoarthritis. This implies that VALG, ROT, and HRA could be used in addition to INC grading when choosing musculoskeletal characteristics of dogs suitable for breeding.

Angular front limb deformity (ALD) refers to an excessively curved limb conformation, which is seen in some chondrodysplastic dog breeds. Common characteristics of ALD include carpal valgus (VALG), front limb rotation (ROT), elbow incongruity, and lateral radial head subluxation. These may cause lameness and discomfort in affected dogs. The clinical impact and breed-specific characteristics of front limb conformation in chondrodysplastic breeds are unknown. This prospective and cross-sectional study aimed to investigate differences in front limb conformation between three chondrodysplastic breeds. We further evaluate whether front limb conformation is associated with clinical findings and limb function. We propose novel methods to classify findings in the interosseous space and to quantify lateral radial head subluxation. Data from a total of 224 front limbs from 112 dogs of three chondrodysplastic dog breeds (30 Standard Dachshunds, 29 Skye terriers, and 53 Glen of Imaal terriers) were included in the study. Front limb VALG and ROT were measured with a goniometer. From the radiographs, the elbow joint was graded for incongruity (INC), and the humeroradial angle (HRA) was measured to assess lateral radial subluxation. The association of front limb conformation with clinical signs and limb function was investigated using orthopedic examination, goniometric and kinetic measurements, and radiography. The breeds differed significantly in their front limb conformation. The Dachshund had the least ROT and the least radial head subluxation. The Skye terrier had the most VALG, the most radial head subluxation, and the largest prevalence of moderate and severe INC. The Glen of Imaal terrier had the most ROT. In addition, INC, ROT, VALG, and HRA were found to be independent of each other and were associated with several measurable clinical abnormalities and limb function such as pain, lameness, limited range of motion, and elbow joint osteoarthritis. This implies that VALG, ROT, and HRA could be used in addition to INC grading when choosing musculoskeletal characteristics of dogs suitable for breeding., Competing Interests: Author JJ was employed by the company EtiMates Oy. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Lappalainen, Pulkkinen, Mölsä, Junnila, Hyytiäinen and Laitinen-Vapaavuori.)

AIM: The aim of this study was to report the outcome of acute antebrachial angular and rotational limb deformity (AARLD) correction using a standard radial ostectomy, an unarticulated type 1b external skeletal fixator (ESF) and intra-operative alignment with no pre-operative planning. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed of dogs with carpal valgus, radial procurvatum and rotational deformity of the forelimb. All 39 cases presented and were treated surgically at a referral hospital in Melbourne, Australia, between September 2008 and March 2012. Surgical correction involved a standard closing cuneiform radial ostectomy, distal ulnar ostectomy and application of an unarticulated type 1b ESF. The method used intra-operative limb alignment and did not use pre-operative planning. Outcome was assessed via client phone interviews in all cases. Five cases were evaluated post-operatively using centre of rotation and angulation (CORA) methodology. RESULTS: As reported by owners of the 39 cases following surgery, limb function was excellent in 26 (67%), good in 12 (31%) cases and acceptable in one (2.5%) case. Frame tolerance was reported as good in 24 (62%), acceptable in 14 (36%) cases and poor in one (2.5%) case. Limb appearance was reported as straight in 25 (64%) cases and mildly rotated in 14 (36%) cases. In five cases that were evaluated, post-operative frontal and sagittal plane alignment ranged from 0–3.1° and 9.1–12.2°, respectively, and distal CORA was corrected to <6.1°. These were within the normal reported reference ranges. Pin tract infections were reported in seven (18%) cases CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELVANCE: This study suggests that the described technique may be an effective practice for the correction of AARLD that provides good clinical results, based on client assessment. The effectiveness of this technique was further supported by the five cases that underwent objective radiographic assessment. The technique is simpler than techniques that use extensive pre-operative planning, uses a smaller inventory and is easily applicable in companion animal practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal ulna metaphyseal osteochondrosis was identified in seven captive bred cheetahs raised in Australia between 1984 and 2005. The disorder was characterized by bilateral carpal valgus conformation. In the metaphyseal region of the distal ulnae, an osteolucent defect that appeared as a proximal extension of the lucent physis was identified radiographically between 6 and 10 months of age. Ulna ostectomy was done to correct the angular limb deformity. Histologically, changes were identified in the osteolucent lesion that resembled osteochondrosis. We propose that the condition is probably familial and/or dietary in origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mare foal had bilateral carpal valgus deformity with toe out condition. When foal walked or run, both knees touched together. The condition was diagnosis as carpal valgus deformity of both carpal joints. Along with crepe bandaging, over both knee joints, owner was advised for regular massage using Iodine, Methyl Salicylate and Arachis oil. After two weeks of treatment, animal condition was accessed and found to improve. The treatment was repeated for next one month and animal completely recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]