Baby Jane, a 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare, faced a serious challenge early in life due to an infection in her fetlock joint. Although the infection was resolved, it left her with an angular limb deformity, causing her leg to bend inward, much like a knock-knee. Her veterinarian turned to the experts at the Equine Surgery and Lameness service at the Johnson Family Equine Hospital for a solution to the complex issue.
A Closer Look at Baby Jane’s Condition
“Horses have just one fetlock joint in each leg, and any injury or arthritis in that joint can severely limit mobility,” explained Dr. Brad Nelson, an equine surgeon at the Johnson Family Equine Hospital. In Baby Jane’s case, the deformity caused her leg to bend inward, but a further CT scan revealed additional complications. Not only was her limb angled inward, but it was also rotated, making the deformity more complex than initially thought.
Nelson wanted to avoid the traditional treatment of arthrodesis, a procedure that fuses the joint but does not correct the deformity. He aimed for a solution that would not only stabilize the joint but also realign the bones, providing Baby Jane with a much better outcome.
3D Printing for Precision Surgery
Nelson’s previous experience with 3D-printed bone models in veterinary surgery led him to believe that a similar approach would be beneficial for Baby Jane. This time, he enlisted the help of Dr. Jason Bleedorn from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery service. Bleedorn had used 3D printing in the past to treat bone deformities in dogs and was able to assist in printing a life-size model of Baby Jane’s bones.
“3D printing allowed us to practice and plan the surgery in advance,” said Nelson. By creating a model of the bones, Nelson and Bleedorn were able to design patient-specific cutting guides, ensuring that during surgery, the bones would be aligned correctly on the first attempt. This preparation helped them create a stable bone fusion using a chevron-shaped cut that would have been difficult to achieve without this technology.
A Team Effort for Successful Surgery
With the help of 3D printing, Nelson and his team were able to make precise cuts to the bones and pre-bend the metal plate that would secure them in place. This meticulous planning shortened Baby Jane’s time under anesthesia and ensured a smoother surgical process. The result was a successful surgery that corrected the deformity and set Baby Jane on the path to recovery. The mare is now well on her way to a full recovery and is expected to become a broodmare, fulfilling her owner’s hopes for her future.
By utilizing cutting-edge 3D printing technology, veterinary surgeons like Nelson and Bleedorn are transforming the way complex orthopedic surgeries are performed, providing horses like Baby Jane with the chance to lead a comfortable and active life.
Source: cvmbs.source.colostate.edu
