Diagnosis of physeal dysplasia is made through clinical signs and symptoms and radiography.
Treatment for acute physeal dysplasia is rest, oral NSAID’s. Once the inflammation and micro- fracture are healed the horse may begin a controlled exercise program.
It is not recommended to breed individuals affected by physeal dysplasia as it, like all other DOD’s, is thought to have a genetic predisposition. Modifying the diet of broodmares and foals may help reduce the risk that a DOD will develop.
Physeal Fractures
Salter-Harris fractures is a fracture that involves the epiphyseal plate or growth plate. It is seen in young horses. There are 9 types, but 1-5 are the most common.
Type I – transverse fracture through the physis.
Type II – fracture through the physis and metaphysis
Type III – fracture through the physis and epiphysis
Type IV – through all 3 structures
Type V – compression of the plate
Angular Limb Deformity Angular limb deformity is described as visible from the cranial/caudal view.
or
deviation of the limbs
Angular limb deformity may be acquired due to trauma/injury or ligament laxity, but is more commonly congenital, caused by fetal malpositioning, malformation of the bones of the limb or imbalance in the growth of the epiphysis. Angular limb deformity may also be caused by physeal dysplasia. Malformation of the cuboidal bones occurs when there is incomplete ossification of the bones of the carpus or tarsus. When the foal begins to weight bear, the un-ossified bones compress under the foals weight causing a deviation of the distal limb away from the site of compression. If the deviation is congenital the un-ossified cuboidal bones may have collapsed in utero due to fetal malpositioning. Any of the above factors results in asymmetric loading of the growth plate leading to delayed endochondral ossification and retarded longitudinal growth.
Typically angular limb deformities are seen in rapidly growing foals with a high body . The amount of exercise a foal gets also plays a role in the development of bone. Foals whose
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