A lag-screw technique for bridging of the medial aspect of the distal tibial physis in horses

A lag-screw technique for transphyseal bridging of the medial aspect of the distal tibial physis in foals with tarsal valgus deformities and results of the technique in 11 foals (6 with bilateral tarsal valgus deformities and 5 with unilateral tarsal valgus deformities) are described. Briefly, horses were anesthetized, and a single stab incision was made through the skin to the underlying bone over the most distal aspect of the medial malleolus. A 20-gauge needle was placed in the incision to guide screw placement, and a lag screw was inserted parallel to the medial cortex of the tibia under radiographic guidance. Screws were removed when the tarsal valgus deformity was clinically assessed to have improved by at least 80%. Clinically, all horses had evidence of a tarsal valgus deformity of > 7 degrees prior to surgery. Mean age at the time of lag-screw implanation was 220 days (range, 116 to 364 days). Mean time the implant was in place was 62 days (range, 39 to 89 days). The tarsal valgus deformity resolved in all 11 horses with excellent cosmetic results.