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 li gament of the deep digital flexor tendon for correction of acquired fl exural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in one or both fo relimbs were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. Information on co rrection of the deformity, cosmetic appearance of the surgery site, an d 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 tw o horses were more than one year old. Eleven months to five years afte r surgery, 26 horses had normal appearance of the hoof and limb, and 2 6 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 concl uded that desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flex or tendon is an effective and cosmetically acceptable treatment for ac quired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the h orse.