Surgical repair of coxofemoral luxation in a horse

Abstract

A 4-year-old castrated male Miniature Horse was evaluated because of severe right hind limb lameness of 5 days' duration. The diagnosis of craniodorsal luxation of the right coxofemoral joint was made by physical examination and radiographic imaging. Closed reduction was attempted but was unsuccessful. Surgical reduction was successfully performed, using toggle pin, synthetic capsular reconstruction, and trochanteric transposition techniques. No postoperative complications were observed. Follow-up 26 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of the luxation and no evidence of lameness. These surgical techniques are used successfully for repair of coxofemoral luxations in small animals. To our knowledge, there has been no report of these techniques attempted in horses. These surgical techniques may have merit for the treatment of coxofemoral luxations in small equine patients.

Radiographic diagnosis of craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in standing equids

“…Standing laterolateral radiographic views of the pelvis can be performed in ponies and small donkeys to diagnose coxofemoral luxation (Garcia‐Lopez et al . ; Toth et al . ).…”

“…; Garcia‐Lopez et al . ) However, coxofemoral luxation should be considered in any horse with severe hindlimb lameness, crepitation of the coxofemoral joint, and either swelling of the gluteal area or atrophy of the gluteal muscles (Sullins and Baxter ). Usually, the affected limb appears shorter, the foot is rotated outward, and the pelvis appears asymmetric because the greater trochanter of the affected limb is positioned more dorsally than the greater trochanter of the contralateral limb (Sullins and Baxter ).…”

“…; Garcia‐Lopez et al . ). The head of the femur can be displaced either dorsocaudally or dorsocranially to the acetabulum, the latter being the more common clinical presentation (Malark et al .…”

“…; Garcia‐Lopez et al . ; Kuemmerle and Furst ). Placing a horse or donkey under general anaesthesia for radiographic evaluation is costly, time consuming and can result in additional damage to the adjacent tissues of the luxated joint or other recovery related catastrophic injuries (Malark et al .…”

Femoral head ostectomy following osteotomy of the greater trochanter in a pony with chronic coxofermoral luxation

“…Several techniques can be applied to reattach the trochanter. Squire et al (1991), who performed this technique on experimental animals, used two or three 6.5 mm cancellous screws and Garcia- Lopez et al (2001) used Steinmann pins and orthopedic wire to reattach the greater trochanter following transposition in a miniature horse with coxofemoral luxation. In the present case Steinmann pins and orthopedic wire were used.…”