In young horses, restriction of a joint in a flexed position or the inability to extend a joint completely is termed a flexural limb deformity. Flexural limb deformities may be congenital or acquired after birth. In most affected foals, the superficial and deep digital flexor musculotendon units and their accessory ligaments, the suspensory ligament, joint capsules, and collateral ligaments prevent normal extension of joints. Malformed bones occasionally occur with congenital flexural deformities and rarely occur with acquired deformities.
展开▼
