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Objective: To present a novel technique for the treatment of severe congenital flexural forelimb deformities in calves., Methods: Thirteen calves of different breeds and sex with severe congenital flexural forelimb deformities were enrolled in the study. A semicircular external skeletal fixation system composed of 6-hole, 45° carbon-fiber arches, 6 mm threaded rods, half-pin fixation bolts, 6 mm hexagonal nuts, and negative profile end-threaded half-pins were used for pancarpal arthrodesis. Complications, time to first use of the limb, fixator removal time, preoperative and postoperative sagittal plane angles of the fused joints, and functional outcomes were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Final assessments were determined according to functional and cosmetic outcomes., Results: All of the surgically treated carpal joints obtained fusion. Seven of the calves started to use the limb immediately after recovering from anesthesia. In the other six calves, the time ranged from one to two days. Time to fixator removal ranged from 25 to 36 days (mean 30 days). Final outcome was excellent in 11 cases, and good in two cases., Clinical Significance: The technique was found to be a useful method for the treatment of severe congenital flexural forelimb deformities in calves. The cost of the operation is negligible compared to the economic value of beef cattle.

Case Description: Two calves with unilateral congenital flexural and torsional limb deformities below the hock joint of the left hindlimb were presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Ondokuz Mayis University. According to clinical, goniometric and radiological examinations, flexural (130°-40°) and torsional (90°-180°) deformities were diagnosed. Except for the limb deformities, both animals were otherwise completely healthy., Treatment and Outcome: In case 1, hock joint arthrodesis was performed using a circular external skeletal fixation system with four full rings 160 mm in diameter. In case 2, the deformity was corrected by fixation after transverse osteotomy at the level of the proximal metatarsals with four full rings 150 mm in diameter, and arthrodesis of the fetlock joint with three full rings 100 mm in diameter. According to clinical examinations and follow-up telephone interviews performed 15 and 24 weeks after discharge, functional use with slight lameness in case 1 and full functional use in case 2 had been achieved., Clinical Relevance: None of the previously reported cases of flexural deformity had radiographic signs similar to those of the calves in our report, and the deformities were not as severe as those reported here. To our knowledge, this is the first report of treatment of unilateral congenital flexural and torsional deformities in calves with a circular external skeletal fixation system.

Forty-three dogs with carpal laxity syndrome were included in the study. The cases were assessed with clinical and radiographical examinations. The case histories were obtained from patient owners. We recommended exercise and commercially available balanced diets for the treatment. In all cases, the clinical recovery period varied between one to four weeks. Healing occurred by the second week in the majority of cases (65.11%). The deformity was observed more frequently in male dogs (n = 30) than in female dogs (n = 13), and in six- to eight-week-old dogs. Carpal Laxity Syndrome is a more general term, used for both hyperextension and hyperflexion deformity. Malnutrition or over-nutrition of rapidly growing large breed puppies causes weakness and irregular tension between extensor and flexor muscle groups, which leads to laxity of the carpal joint. Exercise and commercially available balanced diets without any other treatment is usually enough to achieve physical and functional recovery.