Arthrodesis of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in Two Horses Using Three Parallel 5.5-mm Cortical Screws

The distal interphalangeal joint was successfully arthrodesed in two horses using three parallel 5.5-mm cortical screws and an autogenous cancellous bone graft. The screws were directed from the palmar proximal border of the second phalanx dorso-distally across the joint space and into the third phalanx. The technique was first developed on a normal horse. The second horse, a clinical case, ruptured its deep digital flexor tendon with complete luxation of the distal interphalangeal joint. Bony fusion of the distal interphalangeal joint occurred in both horses, but both also had residual lameness at a walk. Twenty-one months after the arthrodesis procedure, the clinical patient died from complications related to a subsolar abscess in the operated limb.