Management of Knuckling in an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) Using a Custom-Made Orthotic Shoe

A 4-year-old female ostrich (Struthio camelus) developed knuckling on its left foot after a traumatic event. Conservative treatment, rest, and traditional splinting methods failed to resolve the gait abnormality or improve mobility. A dynamic multicomponent orthotic shoe was then custom designed and fabricated with an ultra-high–molecular weight, low-pressure polyethylene polymer (St 1000 DIN16972 TG2) to correct the foot malposition. The affected foot and leg were wrapped with soft padding and the orthosis was attached and secured by nylon belts (Nylon PA [polyamide] 6, a semicrystalline polyamide polymer) with self-locking modified wrench straps. The orthosis immediately prevented knuckling and improved ambulation. After 2 weeks, this shoe was replaced with a modified orthotic shoe of lighter weight to improve kinetics and ease of use by the bird. The modified orthosis dramatically improved ambulation and was left attached to the affected leg for 7 more weeks. Thereafter, the bird was able to ambulate comfortably without the aid of the shoe, even though permanent anatomical changes to the affected leg seemed to restrict its speed of locomotion. The ostrich had another unfortunate traumatic event 10 weeks later, the result of which was knuckling on the contralateral (right) foot. After routine medical and supportive care, the orthosis was then applied to the right foot for a period of 9 weeks. During this period the bird was able to ambulate well, despite having to support the bulk of its weight on the previously affected left limb. At the end of 9 weeks, the orthosis was removed, and the bird was able to ambulate without aid, although the bird's speed of locomotion was considerably reduced. After recovery of its leg problems, the ostrich was confined to a relatively small paddock for the rest of its life.