The distal interphalangeal joint, also known as the coffin joint, is a critical anatomical structure located in the lower limb of horses. This joint is formed by the articulation of the distal phalanx, the middle phalanx, and the distal sesamoid bone, commonly referred to as the navicular bone. It plays a significant role in the biomechanics of equine locomotion, facilitating movement and weight-bearing. The health and functionality of the distal interphalangeal joint are essential for maintaining a horse's performance and overall well-being. Conditions affecting this joint, such as osteoarthritis and laminitis, can lead to lameness and reduced mobility. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the anatomy, pathology, and treatment options related to the distal interphalangeal joint in horses.
Thomas CM, Whittles CE, Fuller CJ, Sharif M.To investigate whether there are any variations in chondrocyte susceptibility to an apoptotic stimulus between cells of articular cartilage (AC) from equine joints that differ in prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Cartilage from macroscopically normal equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints was used. Prior to culture, chondrocyte viability was assessed using the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide paravital staining method. AC explants were subsequently treated with tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in comb...
Crowe OM, Hepburn RJ, Kold SE, Smith RK.To report long-term outcome after arthroscopic removal of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Adult horses (n=13). Methods: Medical records (2003-2004) of horses that had arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: lameness localized to the foot, fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx debrided arthroscopically, and a follow-up period of > or = 4 years. Results: Of the 13 horses, lameness was resolved in 11 (85%) initia...
Werpy NM, Ho CP, Kawcak CE.Distal forelimb specimens of eight skeletally mature horses were imaged using proton density turbo spin echo, T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo, T2*-weighted gradient echo, short tau inversion recovery and T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences with the limb parallel to the main magnetic field, and with angulation of the limb relative to the main magnetic field. The magic angle effect can be identified in the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint when imaged in a high-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system with a horizontally oriented main magnetic field. This effect has...
Boyce M, Malone ED, Anderson LB, Park S, Godden SM, Jenner F, Trumble TN.To determine whether triamcinolone acetonide diffuses from the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) to the navicular bursa, diffusion is direct or systemic, and addition of sodium hyaluronan has an effect on diffusion in horses. Methods: 11 adult horses without forelimb lameness. Methods: 1 randomly chosen forelimb DIPJ of each horse received an injection of 10 mg of triamcinolone acetonide plus 20 mg of sodium hyaluronan (group 1), and the contralateral forelimb DIPJ received an injection of 10 mg of triamcinolone acetonide plus 2 mL of lactated Ringer's solution (group 2). Synovial fluid samp...
Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC, Newton R.There are currently few long-term follow-up data relating to recovery from injury of a collateral ligament (CL) of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and limited information about the effect of associated osseous injury on prognosis. Objective: To describe long-term follow-up results for horses with CL injury, with and without associated osseous injury; and to determine the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) or radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) on outcome. Objective: Prognosis for return to performance for horses with CL-related osseous injury would be worse than for hor...
Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC, Tranquille C.Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral ligament (CL) injury of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint have been documented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but there is currently limited information about the frequency of osseous pathology associated with CL injury. Objective: To determine the frequency of occurrence of osseous abnormality coexistent with CL injury of the DIP joint and describe the distribution and character of osseous lesions; and to establish if there was an association between osseous abnormality and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU). Objective: The...
Smith AJ, Felstead CW, Lawson JS, Weller R.Radiography is the most commonly applied imaging modality in equine practice and forms an essential part of the diagnostic work-up of lame horses. Radiographic signs of musculoskeletal pathology are frequently localized at sites of soft tissue attachment, which are often not clearly visible on radiographs. Different lesions carry different prognoses and require a variety of treatments, and a good knowledge of the position of the synovial structures in the distal limb of the horse is essential for practitioners in the interpretation of radiographs. This study describes a new technique for creat...
Trope GD, Whitton RC.A 12-year-old show-jumping mare was presented for investigation of a chronic hindlimb lameness of 16 weeks duration. Perineural anaesthesia and ultrasonography localised the lesion to the medial collateral ligament of the distal interphalangeal joint of the left hindlimb. Treatment consisted of a heavily padded distal limb cast for 6 weeks, strict box rest and a strictly regulated hand walking program. Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed throughout the rehabilitation period. Collateral ligament desmitis of the distal interphalangeal joint is a commonly diagnosed condition of th...
Spriet M, Zwingenberger A.Hyperintense signal is sometimes observed in ligaments and tendons of the equine foot on standing magnetic resonance examination without associated changes in size and shape. In such cases, the presence of a true lesion or an artifact should be considered. A change in position of a ligament or tendon relative to the magnetic field can induce increased signal intensity due to the magic angle effect. Objective: To assess if positional rotation of the foot in the solar plane could be responsible for artifactual changes in signal intensity in the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal ...
Verwilghen D, Busoni V, Gangl M, Franck T, Lejeune JP, Vanderheyden L, Detilleux J, Grulke S, Deberg M, Henrotin Y, Serteyn D.Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook ...
Spriet M, McKnight A.Three isolated equine limbs were imaged with a low-field magnetic resonance system with a vertical magnetic field. Each limb was scanned in multiple positions with mild variation of the angle between the magnetic field and the long axis of the limb. When the long axis of the limb was not perpendicular to the magnetic field, a linear hyperintense signal was present at the palmar aspect of one of the deep digital flexor tendon lobes, at the level of the navicular bone and collateral sesamoidean ligaments, in proton density and T1-weighted pulse sequences. With increased angulation of the limb, t...
Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, White NA, Werpy NM, Tyrrell L, Allen KA, Sullins KE, Mitchell RD.We report the use of a low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system for the detection of desmopathy of the collateral ligament of the distal interphalangeal joint and the long-term outcome. Twenty horses were studied and their medical records and MR images were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by telephonic questionnaires of owners, trainers, or referring veterinarians. Desmopathy of the medial collateral ligament (80%) and enthesopathy of the affected collateral ligament (80%) were common MR imaging features. Treatment consisted of stall rest followed...
Smith MA, Dyson SJ, Murray RC.Collagen fibers oriented at 55 degrees to the static magnetic field (B0) are characterized by an artifactual increase in signal intensity due to the magic angle effect. We hypothesized that there would be increased signal intensity in the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint and oblique sesamoidean ligaments when these ligaments were at angles approaching 55 degrees to a horizontal B0 during standing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging was performed on four cadaver forelimbs in a 0.27 T standing system. Transverse and dorsal images were obtained using various sequen...
Sardari K, Kazemi H.To evaluation of clinical examination for differential diagnosis of navicular region pain from other forms of palmar heel pain in the forelimb in horses the present study was undertaken. Thirty four horses with lameness referable to the palmar aspect of the hoof based on their response to the palmar digital nerves analgesia were divided into 2 groups based on their response to both distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa analgesia. Horses that were profoundly improved by both analgesic blocks (distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa) were considered to have navicular region p...
Dyson S, Blunden T, Murray R.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used with increasing frequency to diagnose injuries of the collateral ligaments (CLs) of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, but the results have not been verified by histology and the mechanism of injury is poorly understood. Objective: Abnormal signal intensity and tissue contour represents change in tissue structure detected on histology. Objective: To compare results in horses free from and those with chronic lameness and to describe possible progression of lesions. Methods: One or both feet of horses free from lameness (Group N: n = 12) and with foo...
Pauwels FE, Schumacher J, Castro FA, Holder TE, Carroll RC, Sega GA, Rogers CW.To determine whether clinically effective concentrations of methylprednisolone or triamcinolone can be achieved in the navicular bursa after injection of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) or triamcinolone acetonide (TA) into the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) and whether clinically effective concentrations of these drugs can be achieved in the DIPJ after injecting the navicular bursa with the same doses of MPA or TA. Methods: 32 healthy horses. Methods: Horses in groups 1 through 4 received 40 mg of MPA in the DIPJ, 10 mg of TA in the DIPJ, 40 mg of MPA in the navicular bursa, and 10 mg of...
Harper J, Schumacher J, Degraves F, Schramme M, Schumacher J.Specific analgesic techniques are required in diagnosis of lameness to isolate the exact origin of pain to the many structures of the foot that may be involved. Objective: To determine if analgesia of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) results in anaesthesia of other portions of the foot, such as the sole, distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), or navicular bursa (NB). Methods: Lameness caused by pain in the dorsal margin or heel region of the sole of the foot was induced in 18 horses by: using set-screws to create solar pressure (Trial 1: n = 5); or administering endotoxin intrasynovially ...
Sherlock CE, Kinns J, Mair TS.The records of 41 horses with previously undiagnosed foot pain that had been examined by standing magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed and follow-up information was obtained from their owners two years after the examination. A range of soft tissue and osseous abnormalities were identified, with multiple lesions frequently occurring. Deep digital flexor tendonitis was recorded in 12 of the horses, and distension of the distal interphalangeal joint was identified in 15, but it was not always associated with lameness; in contrast, distension of the navicular bursa was always associated with l...
Pastoret V, Carstanjen B, Lejeune JP, Farnir F, Remy B, Reginster JY, Serteyn D, Gabriel A.The first aim of this study was to establish a profile of age-related normal serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) in Ardenner horses. For this first part, blood samples from 49 healthy Ardenner horses were collected. The second aim was to study two biochemical markers of bone metabolism, OC and a carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), in 30 young Ardenner horses during 1 year. Amongst them, 17 showed lesions of juvenile degenerative joint disease in the distal forelimbs. A specific radioimmunoassay for equine OC was used to measure the serum concentration of...
Dyson S, Murray R.Nuclear scintigraphy is commonly used as a diagnostic aid for foot pain, but there is limited information about different patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) and their correlation with the results of other imaging modalities. Objective: To describe patterns of RU in horses with foot pain. Methods: Scintigraphic images of the feet of 264 horses with front foot pain were analysed subjectively and using region of interest analysis. Magnetic resonance images of all feet were analysed prospectively; the navicular bones were reassessed retrospectively and assigned a grade. A Spearman rank co...
Dyson S, Murray R.To improve understanding of the interrelationships between injuries of the podotrochlear apparatus and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Objective: There is a difference in frequency of different types of lesions at different anatomical sites of the DDFT. Lesions of the collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL), distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL), distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and navicular bursa are seen in association with lesions of the navicular bone. Methods: The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 264 horses with unilateral or bilateral foot pain were analysed and graded. Descripti...
Gandini M.To compare 3 dorsal techniques for arthrocentesis of the distal interphalangeal joint in horses with regard to ease of performing the technique and to determine the role of operator experience in ease of performing these techniques. Methods: Observational study. Sample Population-Forelimbs from 17 equine cadavers and 12 horses (16 joints) undergoing arthrocentesis for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Methods: In both forelimbs from 7 of the equine cadavers, 3 arthrocentesis techniques (dorsal perpendicular, dorsolateral, and dorsal inclined) were performed in random order by a single experi...
Bolen G, Busoni V, Jacqmot O, Snaps F.Although ultrasonography is widely used in equine orthopedics, its use in the distal portion of the digit is still limited. The purpose of this descriptive study was to document the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the palmarodistal aspect of the digital area imaged between the bulbs of the heels. Ultrasonographic images were obtained with a 7.5 MHz microconvex transducer in 10 fresh equine cadaver forelimbs and five soundhorses. Sagittal, parasagittal, and transverse images were obtained from the proximal aspect of the middle phalanx to the distal sesamoid bone. Anatomic sections were ob...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Denoix JM.Understanding of the biomechanical effects of egg-bar shoes remains incomplete because kinematic studies are usually performed on hard tracks and with skin markers that do not measure the actual 3-dimensional (3D) movements of the 3 digital joints. Objective: To quantify the effects of egg-bar shoes on the 3D kinematics of the distal forelimb in horses walking on a sand track. Methods: Four healthy horses were equipped with ultrasonic markers fixed surgically to the 4 distal segments of the left forelimb. The 3D movements of these segments were recorded while the horses were walking on a sand ...
Spriet M, Mai W, McKnight A.Increased signal intensity in one of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of sound horses in images acquired using a low-field magnet with vertical orientation of the magnetic field was investigated as a possible manifestation of the magic angle effect. Three isolated equine digits were imaged using the following pulse sequences: (1) spin echo TI, (2) turbo spin echo proton density and T2, and (3) 3D gradient echo T1, in different positions by mildly changing the orientation of the long axis of the digit, in the dorsal plane, relative to the magnetic field. The si...
Kristiansen KK, Kold SE.There is limited knowledge available of factors influencing response to treatments of the DIP-joint in horses with lameness responding to diagnostic analgesia of the DIP-joint. For this reason a multivariable statistical analysis was performed. Objective: Horses with lameness reduced by > or = 75% 10 min after intra-articular analgesia of the DIP-joint, can be treated successfully by intra-articular medication of the joint. Multiple factors influence the response to treatment. Methods: The study was performed retrospectively based on clinical records of horses treated with either polysulpha...
Clayton HM, Sha DH, Stick JA, Robinson P.The objective was to measure 3D rotations of the distal (DIP) and proximal (PIP) interphalangeal joints at walk and trot. 3D trajectories of markers fixed to the proximal phalanx, middle phalanx and the hoof wall of the right forelimb of four sound horses were recorded at 120 Hz. Joint kinematics were calculated in terms of anatomically-based joint coordinate systems between the bone segments. Ranges of motion were similar at walk and trot. Values for the DIP joint were: flexion/extension: 46 +/- 3 degrees at walk, 47 +/- 4 degrees at trot; internal/external rotation: 5 +/- 1 degrees at walk, ...
Puchalski SM, Galuppo LD, Hornof WJ, Wisner ER.A technique for regional delivery of contrast medium to the foot of the horse to increase the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) for the characterization of soft tissue structures within the hoof capsule was developed. An intraarterial catheter was placed under ultrasound guidance into the medial palmar artery at the level of the carpus to facilitate a steady-state infusion of iodinated contrast medium. Two 5 mm collimated contiguous acquisition CT scans were performed in 10 horses without lameness or radiographic evidence of distal sesamoid bone degeneration. CT examination was pe...
Caldwell FJ.Flexural deformities in young horses are commonly referred to as contracted tendons, which is a term that is not consistent with what is currently understood about their cause. Flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop at a later stage of growth typically between 1 and 6 months of age). These 2 manifestations are commonly managed differently depending on the cause, age of onset, severity, duration, complicating factors, and owner expectations. Early recognition and appropriate intervention are essential to ensure th...
Biggi M, Dyson S.The distribution of lesions detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hind feet has not been reported. Objective: To evaluate type and distribution of lesions detected using MRI in hind feet of lame horses and to compare the findings with those reported in front feet; to document follow-up information. Methods: Horses were selected if hindlimb lameness was abolished by plantar nerve blocks performed at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones. Magnetic resonance images were acquired using either a low-field or a high-field magnet, and all images were evaluated retrospectively by both a...
Spriet M, McKnight A.Three isolated equine limbs were imaged with a low-field magnetic resonance system with a vertical magnetic field. Each limb was scanned in multiple positions with mild variation of the angle between the magnetic field and the long axis of the limb. When the long axis of the limb was not perpendicular to the magnetic field, a linear hyperintense signal was present at the palmar aspect of one of the deep digital flexor tendon lobes, at the level of the navicular bone and collateral sesamoidean ligaments, in proton density and T1-weighted pulse sequences. With increased angulation of the limb, t...
Keegan KG, Wilson DA, Kreeger JM, Ellersieck MR, Kuo KC, Li Z.To evaluate the distribution of mepivacaine hydrochloride after distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint injection in horses. Methods: Prospective, uncontrolled study. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: 30 minutes before euthanasia, 8 ml of 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride was injected into the dorsal pouch of a forelimb DIP joint. Synovial tissue from the DIP joint and podotrochlear (navicular) bursa and bone tissue from the medullary cavity of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone were taken from both forelimbs immediately after death. All synovial and bone specimens were analyzed for tissue concentrat...
Madison JB, Garber JL, Rice B, Stumf AJ, Zimmer AE, Ott EA.Thirty-five newborn foals were assigned to 1 of 3 groups and treated with 0.9% NaCl solution (saline; group 1; n = 12), oxytetracycline (44 mg/kg of body weight; group 2; n = 12), or 2-pyrrolidone (oxytetracycline vehicle; group 3; n = 11) in saline solution during the first 36 hours after birth. Serum biochemical analyses were performed on samples obtained from group-1 and group-2 foals before treatment and 24 and 96 hours after treatment. Lateral to medial radiographic views of the forelimbs were obtained before treatment and 24 and 96 hours after treatment in all foals. Metacarpophalangeal ...
Contino EK, Barrett MF, Werpy NM.To determine the effect of limb positioning on the radiographic appearance of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joint spaces of the forelimbs of horses during evaluation of dorsopalmar radiographs. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 14 forelimbs from 9 adult horses. Methods: Each horse was in standing position with its forelimbs positioned on blocks. Dorsopalmar radiographs of each foot were obtained with the forelimbs positioned squarely (the metacarpus of both forelimbs was perpendicular to the ground as determined by visual examination [abducted 0°]; baseline) and abducted 5° and 1...
Dyson SJ.This paper describes the clinical and radiographic features, and response to treatment, of 45 horses which showed lameness that was improved by intra-articular anaesthesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Although many horses had poor conformation of the foot of the lame limb, the majority showed no localising clinical signs suggestive of involvement of the DIP joint. Lameness was usually unilateral. No horse with bilateral lameness responded to treatment. Palmar digital nerve blocks frequently improved or alleviated lameness, although in some horses palmar (abaxial sesamoid) nerve b...
Dyson SJ, Murray R, Schramme M, Branch M.There have been no previously published case series of horses examined using either scintigraphy or MRI to diagnose collateral ligament injuries not detectable using ultrasonography or radiography, nor have other concurrent soft tissue lesions been described. Objective: To describe the clinical features of horses with desmitis of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and to evaluate the results of radiographic, ultrasonographic, scintigraphic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Methods: Horses were examined between January 2001 and January 2003 and w...
Fuller CJ, Barr AR, Dieppe PA.An explant system was used to investigate the hypothesis that cartilage from different equine joints might respond differently to challenge with interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). Pairs of normal cartilage samples were taken from the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of six horses. One of each pair was stimulated with 10 ng/ml human recombinant IL-1alpha for three days, and the supernatants and remaining cartilage explants were analysed for their total content of glycosaminoglycans. A significantly higher percentage of glycosaminoglycans was released ...
Benninger MI, Deiss E, Ueltschi G.We describe the clinical findings and radiographic abnormalities of a horse with a bipartite distal phalanx and a bipartite navicular bone of the right forelimb. Associated findings including suspected keratoma and degenerative joint disease of the distal interphalangeal joint are described and possible etiologies are discussed.
Manfredi JM, Boyce M, Malone ED, Anderson C, Anderson LB, Trumble TN.Palmar foot pain is frequently treated by steroid injections into the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) in the anticipation that the steroid will diffuse to the navicular bursa and palmar foot structures. The object of this study was to determine if triamcinolone acetonide (TA) would in fact be able to locally diffuse from the DIPJ into the navicular bursa in horses affected by palmar foot pain. Both forelimb DIPJs (nine horses) were injected with 10 mg of TA. Navicular bursa fluid samples, both forelimb and one hind limb (systemic control), were analysed for TA with high-performance liquid ...
Smith AJ, Felstead CW, Lawson JS, Weller R.Radiography is the most commonly applied imaging modality in equine practice and forms an essential part of the diagnostic work-up of lame horses. Radiographic signs of musculoskeletal pathology are frequently localized at sites of soft tissue attachment, which are often not clearly visible on radiographs. Different lesions carry different prognoses and require a variety of treatments, and a good knowledge of the position of the synovial structures in the distal limb of the horse is essential for practitioners in the interpretation of radiographs. This study describes a new technique for creat...
Piccot-Crézollet C, Cauvin ER, Lepage OM.To compare accuracy of 2 methods for injection of the podotrochlear bursa in horses. Methods: Observational study. Methods: 17 French Standardbreds. Methods: In each horse, contrast medium was injected into the podotrochlear bursa of 1 foot by use of a distal palmar approach with the needle inserted parallel to the sole (DPPS) and into the podotrochlear bursa of the other foot by use of a distal palmar approach to the navicular position (DPNP). Podotrochlear bursa injection was evaluated by means of radiographic examination in all horses and postmortem examination in 6. Results: Contrast mediu...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Denoix JM.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of asymmetric placement of the foot on the three-dimensional motions of the interphalangeal joints. Four isolated forelimbs were used. Trihedrons, made of three axes fitted with reflective markers, were screwed into each phalanx. They allowed to establish a local frame associated with each bone and thus to define the spatial orientation of the phalanges. The limbs were then placed under a power press, and subjected to compression with gradually increasing force (from 500 to 6 000 N). The procedure was performed in neutral position and with ...
Viitanen M, Bird J, Maisi P, Smith R, Tulamo RM, May S.As a prerequisite for the identification of navicular disease markers, the concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), hyaluronan, metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 and total protein were measured in synovial fluid samples obtained from the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP), the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and the navicular bursa of 24 horses. Mean GAG, COMP and total protein levels were significantly higher in the DIP joint and in the navicular bursa compared to the MCP joint. Hyaluronan content was lower. MMP -2 activity was present in al...
Dabareiner RM, Carter GK, Honnas CM.To determine history, clinical and radiographic abnormalities, and outcome in horses with signs of navicular area pain unresponsive to corrective shoeing and systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration that were treated with an injection of corticosteroids, sodium hyaluronate, and amikacin into the navicular bursa. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 25 horses. Methods: Data collected from the medical records included signalment, history, horse use, severity and duration of lameness, shoeing regimen, results of diagnostic anesthesia, radiographic abnormalities, and outcome. ...
Smith MA, Dyson SJ, Murray RC.Collagen fibers oriented at 55 degrees to the static magnetic field (B0) are characterized by an artifactual increase in signal intensity due to the magic angle effect. We hypothesized that there would be increased signal intensity in the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint and oblique sesamoidean ligaments when these ligaments were at angles approaching 55 degrees to a horizontal B0 during standing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging was performed on four cadaver forelimbs in a 0.27 T standing system. Transverse and dorsal images were obtained using various sequen...
Weaver RE, Sharif M, Livingston LA, Andrews KL, Fuller CJ.The objective of this study was to assess whether macroscopically normal articular cartilage taken from joints containing focal osteoarthritic lesions is histologically similar to articular cartilage taken from macroscopically normal joints. Metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints were obtained from 10 horses following euthanasia. Gross articular cartilage damage was scored and the cartilage assigned to one of two groups: (1) macroscopically normal cartilage from normal joints (control) and (2) macroscopically normal cartilage from diseased joints in wh...
Pearce SG, Boure LP, Bolger A, Thomason JJ, Dobson H.To determine the conformational changes in the distal forelimb of horses following heel elevation of 15 degrees and greater. An experimental study with repeated, within-horse measurements. Methods: Five clinically normal, mixed-breed horses were used to determine distal forelimb conformation following heel elevation from 0 to 45 degrees in 15 degree increments. Data were also compared to conformation of the limb in a Kimzey splint. Conformation was determined using lateral to medial radiographic projections. Conformation parameters assessed included measurement of apparent lengths of digital f...
Ruohoniemi M, Ryhänen V, Tulamo RM.Radiographic findings in the navicular bone and distal interphalangeal joint as well as the ossification status of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx were evaluated in 100 Finnhorse cadaver forefeet. The most common shapes of the proximal articular margin of the navicular bone were convex and straight. Remodeling of the navicular bone was common, especially on the lateral extremity. No bony fragments were identified at the distal flexor margin even though this area appeared irregular in several feet. Several large, rounded or lollipop-shaped synovial invaginations were identified ...
Parker RA, Bladon BM, McGovern K, Smith KC.To describe and discuss previously unreported complications associated with intraosseous perfusion with gentamicin in horses. Methods: Case report. Methods: Ten-year-old Warmblood gelding. Methods: Intraosseous perfusion with gentamicin into the proximal phalanx (P1) was used as part of the treatment regimen for distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa synovial sepsis. Although the sepsis responded favorably complications developed at the perfusion site, including persistent osteomyelitis, progressive osteonecrosis, and ultimately pathologic fracture of P1. Results: The progression of ...
Roach JM, Pfau T, Bryars J, Unt V, Channon SB, Weller R.Kinematic evaluation of the distal limb of the horse using standard methods is challenging, mainly due to the hoof capsule restricting visualisation, but the recent development of a high-speed fluoroscopy (HSF) system has allowed in vivo cineradiographic assessment of moving skeletal structures at high speeds. The application of this non-invasive method to the equine distal limb is used to describe 'internal' distal limb kinematics including intra-horse and inter-horse variability, and variability between walk and trot. Distal limb kinematic data were collected at walk and trot from six non-la...
Viitanen MJ, Wilson AM, McGuigan HR, Rogers KD, May SA.Increased joint pressure has been implicated in the progression of osteoarthritis. Objective: That intra-articular pressure in the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) is significantly higher in legs loaded with heel up (HU), low heel (TU), lateral side up (LU) and medial side up (MU) imbalance compared to the balanced position. Methods: Twelve elbow down limbs were compressed in a hydraulic loading jig and DIP pressure measured. Results: Elevating the heels by 5 degrees significantly increased DIP pressure. After 5 ml of contrast was injected into the joint, heel elevation caused a greater incr...
Dyson S, Murray R.Nuclear scintigraphy is commonly used as a diagnostic aid for foot pain, but there is limited information about different patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) and their correlation with the results of other imaging modalities. Objective: To describe patterns of RU in horses with foot pain. Methods: Scintigraphic images of the feet of 264 horses with front foot pain were analysed subjectively and using region of interest analysis. Magnetic resonance images of all feet were analysed prospectively; the navicular bones were reassessed retrospectively and assigned a grade. A Spearman rank co...
Cruz AM, Pharr JW, Bailey JV, Barber SM, Fretz PB.To evaluate podotrochlear bursa (navicular bursa) endoscopy as a diagnostic technique in horses and to correlate observations to radiographic and pathologic findings. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Seventeen equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Five standard radiographic views of the navicular region and a bursographic study with lateromedial and caudal tangential radiographic views were taken of each forelimb. Radiographic scoring of the navicular bone (0, excellent; 1, good; 2, fair; 3, poor) was performed using a previously reported technique. Endoscopic examination was performed using ...
Hontoir F, Paques F, Simon V, Balau B, Nicaise C, Clegg P, Dugdale A, Vandeweerd JM.Foot pain is a frequent cause of lameness in horses and can involve multiple structures within the hoof. The T-ligament (an anatomical structure connecting the synovium of the distal interphalangeal joint, the digital flexor tendon sheath and the navicular bursa) is poorly described. Five pairs of equine cadaver distal forelimbs were collected from a slaughterhouse. Sagittal sections (medial, middle and lateral) were obtained and processed with Haematoxylin Eosin Safran, Unna's Orcein, and Picrosirius red stains. Histological assessment revealed that the T-ligament was covered by the surroundi...
Bolen G, Busoni V, Jacqmot O, Snaps F.Although ultrasonography is widely used in equine orthopedics, its use in the distal portion of the digit is still limited. The purpose of this descriptive study was to document the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the palmarodistal aspect of the digital area imaged between the bulbs of the heels. Ultrasonographic images were obtained with a 7.5 MHz microconvex transducer in 10 fresh equine cadaver forelimbs and five soundhorses. Sagittal, parasagittal, and transverse images were obtained from the proximal aspect of the middle phalanx to the distal sesamoid bone. Anatomic sections were ob...
Malacarne BD, Cota LO, Neto ACP, Paz CFR, Dias LA, Corrêa MG, Carvalho AM, Faleiros RR, Xavier ABS.With the hypothesis that equine dorsal lamellar tissue can be desensitized by anesthesia injection into distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), the objective was to assess the mechanical nociceptive threshold of hoof dorsal lamellae following intra-articular (IA) administration of lidocaine into this joint. Methods: The DIPJ of the forelimbs of six adult healthy horses were injected with either 5 mL of lidocaine, or 5 mL of lactated Ringer's solution. Treatments were randomly distributed, with each forelimb undergoing a single treatment. The hooves were evaluated pre- and post-injection at pre-se...
Kristiansen KK, Kold SE.There is limited knowledge available of factors influencing response to treatments of the DIP-joint in horses with lameness responding to diagnostic analgesia of the DIP-joint. For this reason a multivariable statistical analysis was performed. Objective: Horses with lameness reduced by > or = 75% 10 min after intra-articular analgesia of the DIP-joint, can be treated successfully by intra-articular medication of the joint. Multiple factors influence the response to treatment. Methods: The study was performed retrospectively based on clinical records of horses treated with either polysulpha...
Wagner PC, Grant BD, Kaneps AJ, Watrous BJ.After desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (distal check ligament) had been performed in 40 horses with flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (contracture of the deep digital flexor tendon), the horses' records were evaluated retrospectively. Information concerning soundness, return to intended purpose, and cosmetic appearance of the limb and hoof was obtained. The condition had been diagnosed and treated in 26 horses before they were one year old (group A, acute) and in 14 horses greater than one year of age (group B, chronic). Nine months to ...
