Page 30 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023

Goat given new lease of life

with 3D printed foot

histle was a five week old kid CT was performed to obtain exact
(Nubian goat) when she was first measurements of the size and shape Initial prosthesis printed with PLA
filament and the inserted threaded bolt
referred to Dr Melanie Perrier of the stump in order to help design at the bottom to allow for adjustments
Tat the RVC’s Equine Referral and fabricate a 3D printed prosthetic in height as she grows
Hospital for evaluation of a suspected foot. Professor Richard Bomphrey of
open fracture of her right front digits. the Structure and Motion Lab was
consulted during the whole process and
She was born with what was initially manufactured the prosthesis for Thistle.
believed to be an angular/flexural
deformity and was treated with splints Thistle recovered well from general
for a few weeks. As her condition did anaesthesia. The surgical site appeared
not improve, radiographs were taken dry following surgery, there was no
and an open fracture of the digits was discharge and only minimal swelling.
diagnosed by the referring veterinarian. She was discharged on 27 June to go
At that point Thistle was referred to home under the recommendations of
the Equine Referral Hospital for further keeping her in a small pen or paddock
evaluation and treatment. until suture removal in 2-3 weeks.
During that time, the bandage on her
On presentation, Thistle was bright right forelimb was changed every 3-4
and alert with all vital parameters within days, or whenever it became loose or
normal limits. She was non weight- soiled, until she came back to the RVC
bearing lame on her right forelimb. She for suture removal three weeks later.
presented with a 4cm transverse wound
just proximal to the coronary band. The Thistle returned to the RVC on 13 July
wound was full thickness and associated 2023 to have her sutures removed
with moderate to severe instability at the and her new prosthetic limb fitted
digits level. under light sedation. The prosthesis
resembles a ski boot with Velcro straps.
A Computed Tomography (CT) It was 3D printed with PLA filament
scan was taken to further evaluate and a threaded bolt was inserted at
the fracture and determine possible the bottom to allow for adjustments
treatment options and prognosis. This in height as she grows. Several
identified chronic, open, comminuted, modifications were made to the design
displaced, non-articular, diaphyseal of the prosthesis over the course of her Her fitted prosthesis
fractures of the phalanges. There was stay to make it more comfortable and, in
also complete loss of preservation particular, easier for her to lay down.
and joint congruency of the distal
interphalangeal joint, with intra- Thistle’s progress postoperatively and her
articular gas suggestive of septic initial response to the prosthesis are very
arthritis and luxation. encouraging. While she initially only used
the prosthesis for a few steps, after a few
Given the CT findings, repair of the days she was mostly weight-bearing on it
fracture with internal or external fixation and showing a more natural gait.
was not deemed possible as there
was not enough bone left at the distal Since Thistle had been walking on
phalanges level. Other options were three legs since birth she presented
discussed with the owner, which with severe muscle atrophy over her
included euthanasia, amputation at the right forelimb, and this will need to be
level of the radius and amputation at the built up progressively. She will wear her
level of the distal metacarpi, with the prosthetic for a little longer each day and
hope to fit a prosthesis on the distal limb. undergo regular physiotherapy exercises.
She will only wear the prosthesis for a
The owner chose amputation at the few hours daily to start with so she can
level of the distal metacarpi, which was get accustomed to it gently, and this will
performed on 21 June 2023 under be increased over the following weeks
general anaesthesia. A postoperative
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