Biomechanical Assessment of the Collateral Ligament of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint of the Horse Following Alterations to the Palmar Angle-A Cadaveric Study.
Abstract: Therapeutic shoeing for horses is used to affect the palmar angle (PA) of the distal phalanx. These changes may influence the strain on the distal interphalangeal joint collateral ligaments (DIJCLs). This cadaveric study aimed to assess DIJCL strain under varying loads and PA adjustments. Using 26 cadaver forelimbs, eight optical markers were placed on one DIJCL for strain measurement under five different loads (1000-5000 newtons) at a neutral PA, followed by PA increases of 2°, 4°, and 6° and decreases of -2° and -4°. The results indicate that increases in PA corresponded to significantly higher strain in the distal and mid distal portions, while 2° and 4° decreases in PA significantly reduced the strain in the proximal regions of the DIJCLs. Limitations include potential discrepancies between a cadaver and live biomechanics. This study concludes that increased PA increases distal DIJCL strain, while decreased PA decreases proximal strain. Further research is recommended to evaluate the practical implications of these findings in DIJCL injuries in horses.
Publication Date: 2025-02-01 PubMed ID: 39943176DOI: 10.3390/ani15030406Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates how therapeutic shoeing in horses, which alters the angle of their hooves (palmar angle or PA), may change the strain in the ligaments in their hooves (distal interphalangeal joint collateral ligaments or DIJCLs) under different weight loads. The findings suggest that a higher angle leads to greater strain, while a decreased angle reduces strain, which may inform decisions about shoeing in relation to horse ligament injuries.
Research Method
- The aim was to study how varying loads and foot angles impacted the strain on the DIJCL. This was achieved using the forelimbs from 26 horse cadavers.
- For each cadaver limb, eight markers were placed on one DIJCL to measure strain.
- The researchers tested for strain under five different weight loads (1000 to 5000 newtons) with a neutral foot angle, then with foot angles increased by 2°, 4°, and 6°, and foot angles decreased by -2° and -4°.
Research Findings
- The results showed that an increased palmar angle corresponded to significantly higher strain in the distal (furthest from the body) and mid-distal sections of the DIJCL.
- Decreases of 2° and 4° in the palmar angle significantly lowered the strain in the proximal (nearest the body) regions of the DIJCL.
Limitations and Conclusions
- The study acknowledges that there could be differences between the biomechanics of a cadaver and a live horse, which is a limitation of the research.
- Despite this, the study concludes that increasing the palmar angle results in increased distal strain on the DIJCL, while decreasing the palmar angle can reduce strain.
- It is recommended that further research is conducted to examine these findings and their practical implications in treating DIJCL injuries in horses – this could lead to better informed decisions on therapeutic shoeing.
Cite This Article
APA
Colla S, Johnson JW, McGilvray KC, Zanotto GM, Seabaugh KA.
(2025).
Biomechanical Assessment of the Collateral Ligament of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint of the Horse Following Alterations to the Palmar Angle-A Cadaveric Study.
Animals (Basel), 15(3), 406.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030406 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Orthopaedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory, Departments of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Orthopaedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory, Departments of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Grant Funding
- 1495760 / College Research Council - CRC, Colorado State University
Citations
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