Surgical Removal of a Supernumerary Foot in a New-born Calf:
a Case Report
Duplicated foot is a rare congenital anomaly. It differs from polydactyly in that
supernumerary metacarpal and carpal bones are present as well as extra digits. Only a
few cases of this anomaly have been reported in the literature to date. Another term
using for this condition is bimelia. It is understood by bimelia to the presence of a
limb in an abnormal place. Several types of polimelia are described according to the
location of accessory extremity: Pigomelia: Accessory legs or legs that leave the
rumps. Pelvomelia: extremities that leave pelvis. Gastromelia: Extremities that leave
the belly. Toracomelia: Extremities that leave thorax. Notomelia: The extremities
leave the back. Cefalomelia: The extremity is born in the head.
A 30 days old female calf was referred to teaching hospital of vetertinary college of
ferdowsi university that had been born with a duplicate foot of the cranial extremity
without another anomaly in other part of body grossly. She was examined clinically
and radiographically. The supernumerary foot was attached to distal part of shorten
tibia. Surgery to remove the supernumerary foot was successfully performed.
The patient grew normally after that and now she is a normal cow in herd.
The supernumerary foot might cause malfunction for the main extremity.