Pancarpal Arthrodesis for Treatment of Carpal Collapse in the Adult Horse A Report of Two Cases

Two mares with multiple carpal bone fractures, malarticulation and degenerative joint disease were successfully treated with unilateral arthrodeses of the antebrachiocarpal, middle carpal, and carpometacarpal joints. Arthrodesis was achieved by removal of articular cartilage, autogenous cancellous bone graft, and double dynamic compression plating. In one horse, wedge ostectomy corrected the severe, acquired angular limb deformity. External coaptation supplemented the internal fixation. Postoperative complications were limited to cast sores that healed with treatment, although protracted in one horse. Both mares adapted to the "peg leg" condition and ambulated without pain by 3 months. The first mare treated survived for at least 2 1/2 years after surgery and has had at least one foal. The most recently treated mare will be bred next year.