Ballerina Syndrome

xenophon · Ballerina Syndrome

I've just learned something new about a hoof/lower limb condition called ballerina syndrome. With this condition the deep digital flexor tendon is so tight that the horse cannot put its heel on the ground. It is a severe case of club footedness where the horse sometimes walks on its toes with a dorsal hoof wall angle of 90 degrees in more extreme cases. I was told by a well know hoof podiatrist that the only treatment for this condition, as well as those not quite as severe, is a tenotomy of the DDFT followed by shoes with extentions on the heel to prevent subluxation of the coffin bone/short pastern bone (DIP) joint. In six months scar tissue takes the place of the tendon, the shoes are removed and the horse can be used for moderated work. Does anyone on this board have any experience with this, barefoot or otherwise?

Kim Cassidy

I had a client who boarded at a barn where there was a horse with this condition. The horse walked okay, but the owner kept him on Bute all the time. Then they did the tenotomy and the foot returned to a more normal position. My client moved from that facility but I heard later that the horse did develop scar tissue but he became even more lame and was put down.

If it were me and my option was a tenotomy I'd put the horse to sleep, but that is just me.