ACQUIRED FLEXURAL DEFORMITY OF THE DISTAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT IN HORSES - TREATMENT BY DESMOTOMY OF THE ACCESSORY LIGAMENT OF THE DEEP DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Hospital records of 29 horses treated by desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon for correction of acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in one or both forelimbs were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. Information on correction of the deformity, cosmetic appearance of the surgery site, and current use of the horses was obtained by interviews with the owners. At the time of surgery, 27 horses were less than one year old and two horses were more than one year old. Eleven months to five years after surgery, 26 horses had normal appearance of the hoof and limb, and 26 horses had acceptable cosmetic appearance of the surgery site due to no or minimal scarring, At the time of interview, all but two of the 11 horses more than three years old were in full training, It is concluded that desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon is an effective and cosmetically acceptable treatment for acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the horse.