Tratamento de fixação dorsal de patela em potro pela técnica de fenestração ligamentar: relato de caso

Abstract

Upward Fixation of the Patella (UFP) is a pathology that affects the femorotibiopatellar joint of equidae of many breeds, age and sex, having as a predisponing factor alteration in joint conformation, laxity of the medial patellar ligament, muscle incoordination in the femoral quadriceps, low body score index, among others. May affect animals that have experienced recent loss of muscle mass or have suffered pelvic limb hyperextension. Pathology may present intermittent or constant, in both pelvic limbs or only one. Among the therapeutic options available for UFP, splitting can be used, since it is a technique of low complexity, low cost and does’nt present long-term side effects. That said, the objective of this work is to report the case of a foal diagnosed with intermittent UFP in both pelvic limbs, and the application of splitting technique in both medial patellar ligaments. Animal was previously examined, and two surgical procedures were performed, with an interval of 45 days between each. The procedures were performed equally, with minimal divergence between each, and the follow-up of the evolution of the animal was daily, for 15 days, with digital records and clinical follow-up. At the end of the evaluation, was observed improvement in fixation, less frequent and intense, but there was no cessation in the pathological condition. In view of this, further studies on splitting in horses as a therapeutic alternative to UFP are necessary.