Hypothesis 3 Congenital Angular Limb Deformation Laxity of the periarticular supporting structures: The supporting structures were weak and were unanable to support the weight of the calf, therefore the limb became angled in a valgus deformation. The calf appeared normal at birth. The deformity can be manually corrected, which may have led the people present into thinking that the calf was normal, when in fact he was not. The calf should have simply been confined to stall rest until the joint became strong enough to support the calf. Excessive loading of the affected joint will lead to pathologic compression of the carpal/tarsal bones and the adjacent physis which will lead to increased deformation and permanent damage. As the calf grows the deformation will only get worse. If the calf had a more severe case of congenital angular limb deformation, it would have required a full cast. This would have taken weight off of the affected region allowing it to strengthen without being deformed. The half cast placed in this situation would not have taken weight off the carpus, but would have added to the load being carried by the carpus, leading to more deformation. The swelling can be explained by the use of FrankÕs calf jack causing tissue damage to the limb. Moreover, swelling could also be explained by the heavy bandage cutting off circulation and prevent adequate blood flow. This is further supported by the fact that the areas of skin fell off when the bandage was removed. (Necrosis due to lack of perfusion, and also abrasion.) The range of motion is decreased because the carpus is now malformed due to the pathologic pressure placed on it. The tight bands on the dorsum are due to the prolonged period of immobilization of the limb.