Cutting-edge advice on fixing the equine fetlock joint

World-renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, DACVS, is out to ease your frustrations with the fetlock joint. His presentation “Operative orthopedics of the equine fetlock joint-fractures, fragments, failures and fixes,” the 12th annual Frank J. Milne State of the Art lecture, will take place Monday, Dec. 7, as part of the AAEP annual meeting taking place in Las Vegas, Nev.

This delicate joint that acts as a shock absorber in the lower leg is the most frequently injured joint, especially in racing horses, and injury is often fatal. Dr. Bramlage has been focusing on fixation methods of the fetlock joint since his residency in the mid-1970s at The Ohio State University, where he helped pioneer the fetlock arthrodesis technique, which involves fusing the joint to provide stabilization.

Honored to be selected to as the presenter for this cutting-edge lecture series, Dr. Bramlage plans to discuss his approach to treating the fetlock joint as well as the rationale and results of various surgical treatments. He will cover everything from arthroscopy to internal fixation with screws and plates. “I hope attendees will have a better understanding as to when to choose surgical and medical treatments for the fetlock joint and be better able to help their clients with the probable results,” says Dr. Bramlage.

Dr. Bramlage is a past president of both the AAEP and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has received the AAEP's Distinguished Service Award and was designated a Distinguished Life Member in 2008. He is a partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and is often sought as an expert advisor to the media during major racing events as part of the AAEP's On Call program.