Case report: Chronic arthritis of fetlock joint in the horse

Abstract

Diseases of extremities in horses are the most significant part of the pathology in this species. This paper shows neurectomy as the ultimo ratio in the treatment of chronic arthritis of the fetlock joint in the horse. This disease is characterized by the appearance of exostoses in the area of the fetlock joint which reduces the mobility of the joint and causes pain during movement. The disease was diagnosed in a clinical examination, with a probe of the flexion of the suspected joint, and using diagnostic anesthesia. After data were collected in this way, we opted for neurectomy of the n.palmaris medialis. The operation was performed in general anesthesia. Local anesthesia was also applied as proximal palmar anesthesia. The postoperative course was smooth. Following the withdrawal of the edema and the healing of the wound, the lameness ceased and the usability value of the stallion was restored.

Keywords

• arthritis
• lameness
• neurectomy
• fetlock joint