Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010; 23(05): 362-365
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-09-0098

Case Report

Schattauer GmbH

Treatment of tarsal joint deformities with hinged transarticular external fixators in three young birds

V. C. M. Ferraz

¹Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

,

C. R. A. Ferrigno

¹Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

,

R. Isaza

²University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA

,

A. Pozzi

²University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA

,

D. Myers

²University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA

,

A. Atkins

²University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA

,

J. F. X. Wellehan

²University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA

,

K. Ito

¹Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

› Author Affiliations

Summary

Pelvic limb deformities are common in many avian species. Three young birds, including a six-week-old Cockatoo and two three-month-old goslings, were presented with tarsal joint deformities. They were treated with an experimental prototype of a hinged linear external fixator, placed in a transarticular fashion, in order to maintain joint function during treatment. All birds had close to normal leg function at six to ten weeks postoperatively. These results suggest that the hinged external fixator may be a viable treatment option for tarsal joint deformities in young birds.

Keywords

Keywords

Tarsal joint deformities - birds - dynamic external fixator

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