CHANGES IN THE DISTAL PHALANX IN FOALS WITH DEEP DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON CONTRACTION

Nine foals, aged 4–7 months, suffering from contracted deep digital flexor tendon were radiographed for changes in the distal phalanx. Varying degrees of osteolysis in the distal part of the distal phalanx were observed. The foals with the most pronounced clinical signs also displayed the most prominent radiologic changes. Tenotomy of the check ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon was performed. In severely affected foals, a shoe with a long toepart was used after surgery. Programmed exercise on hard ground was started 1 week after surgery. Control radiography was performed on three of the foals 1–1½ years after treatment. At that time, the colts had normal distal phalanges and their function and mobility were normal. Of the remaining six animals, three had been sold as being healthy and were not available for examination. The remaining three had been examined for the first time within the last 3 months, and long-term evaluation was not possible.