Single Screw Transphyseal Bridging for Correction of Unilateral Carpal Valgus in a 5-Week Old Thoroughbred Foal

Abstract

A 5-week old Thoroughbred foal was presented with severe left carpal valgus. Radiographs of the dorsopalmar projections confirmed the deviation was 14 degrees. Surgery using a single-position screw traversing the physis of the distal radius was performed. The limb was almost straight (2 degrees) 3 weeks after surgery. Visual/radiograph follow-up 7 months after screw removal revealed no over-correction after removal of the screw. Transphyseal bridging using a single-position screw without lateral periosteal transection of distal radius was successful for the correction of foals with this condition.