Recent surgeries

Bent leg surgery

Bent legs, or rather angular limb deformities, are relatively common in young foals. It is very important to get such foals checked by a vet very early on. If caught straight away the majority can be treated with foot trimming and sometimes glue-on extensions in combination with box rest.

The ability of foals to straighten their legs as they grow is amazing. Nonetheless, a minority do not respond completely to this ‘conservative’ approach and require surgical treatment, especially when more than one deformity is present. The 6 month old foal pictured below is one such case, demonstrating outward deviation of the right fore cannon in relation to the forearm and knee (carpal valgus deformity). The left fore was straight.

This case was treated by a combination of growth inhibition on the inside (medial) side of the lower radius growth plate using screws and wire, with growth acceleration by periosteal strip on the outside (lateral) side of the same growth plate.

Postoperatively the foal was rested for a few weeks prior to resuming turnout. The outside of the growth plate should continue growing, effectively straightening the leg. When the leg is straight (around 2 months) the implants will be taken out again. This shows the postoperative appearance.

When considering surgical treatment for angular limb deformity, timescales are extremely important. If any deformity(s) haven’t responded to trimming and extensions, the time for this type of surgery is 2 months of age (fetlock), 4 months (hock) and 6 months (knee). If much longer is taken then the growth plate finishes its period of growth and therefore loses its ability to straighten the leg. If you are concerned about a bent leg in a foal then don’t delay in seeking veterinary advice.