Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(05): 444-449
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-16-02-0029
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Surgical correction of bilateral metacarpophalangeal valgus with curved osteotomies and type II external skeletal fixation in a seven-month-old alpaca

Mike J. Schoonover
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
,
Chase T. Whitfield
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
,
Mark C. Rochat
2   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
,
Robert N. Streeter
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
,
Kate Sippel
3   Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, Texas, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 17 February 2016

Accepted: 19 June 2016

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Objective: To report the successful surgical correction of severe bilateral metacarpophalangeal valgus angular limb deformities in a seven-month-old intact male alpaca cria using curved osteotomies stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation.

Methods: Using a 21 mm crescentic shaped oscillating saw blade, bilateral osteotomies were performed in the distal metaphyses of the fused third and fourth metacarpal bones to correct valgus angular limb deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Axial alignment of each limb was achieved by medially rotating the distal metacarpus in the frontal plane along the curved osteotomies. The osteotomies were stabilized using type II external skeletal fixators.

Results: The alpaca was immediately weight-bearing following the surgical procedure and no to minimal lameness was observed during healing of the osteotomies. Evaluation at five and 10 months following the surgery demonstrated acceptable axial alignment in the left forelimb while moderate to severe varus deformity (overcorrection) was observed in the right.

Clinical significance: Curved osteotomy of the distal metacarpus stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation can provide a favourable outcome in older alpaca crias affected with metacarpophalangeal angular limb deformities. Placement of the distal transfixation pins relative to the metacarpal physes should be carefully evaluated as over-correction is possible, especially if growth -potential remains in only one physis of the fused third and fourth metacarpal bones.

Keywords

Angular limb deformities - alpaca - external skeletal fixation - osteotomy
 

  • References

  • 1 Auer JA. Angular Limb Deformities. In Auer JA, Stick JA. editors Equine Surgery 4th edition. St.. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2012: 1201-1221.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 2 Ducharme NG. Surgery of the calf musculoskeletal system. In Fubini SL, Ducharme NG. editors Farm Animal Surgery. St. Louis: Saunders; 2004: 485-503.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 3 Fowler ME. Congenital/hereditary conditions. In: Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids 3rd edition.. Ames: Iowa State Press; 2010: 525-558.
  • 4 Anderson DE. Angular deformities in llamas and alpacas. Proc Am Assoc Bov Pract 2009; 42: 105-107.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Parry AJ, Dart AJ. Surgical correction of metacarpophalangeal valgus deformity in an alpaca. Aust Vet J 2007; 85: 368-370.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Woodford N, D’Alterio GL, Owen M. Bilateral metatarsophalangeal valgus and subluxation in two adult llamas treated by medial bone plate arthrodesis. Vet Rec 2007; 160: 262-266.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Kaneps AJ. Orthopedic conditions of small ruminants. Llama, sheep, goat, and deer. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 1996; 12: 211-231.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Fretz PB, Cynbaluk NF, Pharr JW. Quantitative analysis of long-bone growth in the horse. Am J Vet Res 1984; 45: 1602-1608.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Greenough PR. Applied Anatomy. In Greenough PR, Weaver AD. editors Lameness in Cattle 3rd Edition.. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1997: 219-232.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 10 Fowler ME. Angular limb deformities in young llamas. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1982; 181: 1338-1342.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Hunter B, Duesterdieck-Zellmer KF, Huber MJ. et al. Carpal valgus in llamas and alpacas: Retrospective evaluation of patient characteristics, radiographic features and outcomes following surgical treatment. Can Vet J 2014; 55: 1153-1159.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Livingston CK, Dart AJ, Dowling BA. et al. Surgical correction of carpal valgus deformity in three alpacas. Aust Vet J 2001; 79: 821-824.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Squire KRE, Adams SB. Bilateral wedge osteotomy on an 18-month-old llama with severe bilateral carpal valgus. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 199: 1174-1176.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Korn MW, MacDonald JM. A new approach to dome high tibial osteotomy. Am J Knee Surg 1996; 9: 12-21.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Matthiesen D. Treatment of forelimb growth plate deformity in 11 dogs by radial dome osteotomy and external coaptation. Vet Surg 1991; 20: 402-408.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Schleining JA, Bergh MS. Surgical correction of angular and torsional metatarsal deformity with cylindrical osteotomy and locking compression plates in a calf. Vet Surg 2014; 43: 563-568.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Semevolos SA, Huber MJ, Parker JE. et al. Complications after orthopedic surgery in alpacas and llamas: 24 cases (2000-2006). Vet Surg 2008; 37: 22-26.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Martinez SA, DeCamp CE. External skeletal fixation. In Tobias KM, Johnston SA. editors Veterinary Surgery Small Animal. Vol 1. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012: 608-627.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 19 Staudte KL, Gibson NR. Type 1b external fixation of a metacarpal fracture in an alpaca. Aust Vet J 2003; 81: 265-267.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Rubio-Martinez LM, Koenig JB, Halling KB. et al. Use of a circular external skeletal fixator for stabilization of a comminuted diaphyseal metatarsal fracture in an alpaca. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007; 230: 1044-1048.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Aithal HP, Singh GR, Hoque M. et al. The use of a circular external skeletal fixation devise for the management of long bone osteotomies in large ruminants: an experimental study. J Vet Med 2004; 51: 284-293.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Fowler ME, Bravo PW. Surgery. In Fowler ME. Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids. 3rd edition.. Ames: Iowa State Press; 2010: 129-171.
    Search in Google Scholar