Bilateral correction of metatarsal rotation in a dog using circular external skeletal fixation.

Abstract

An 8-month-old castrated male Saint Bernard was evaluated for bilateral hind limb lameness. Lameness was ascribed to bilateral metatarsal rotational abnormalities on the basis of the physical examination and radiographic evaluations. Staged, bilateral deformity correction and tarsometatarsal arthrodeses were performed using circular external skeletal fixators. The dog's gait improved following surgery and the fixators were removed 3 (left hind paw) and 4 (right hind paw) months following surgery. Twenty months after the initial surgery, the owner reported that the dog was walking well without apparent lameness. Previous reports suggest that metatarsal rotation is untreatable; however, our results suggest that surgical correction of this deformity can substantially improve limb function in dogs affected with metatarsal rotation.