Hoof wall surgery in the horse: approaches to and underlying disorders.

This research article explores the surgical methods used for treating various foot conditions in horses, emphasizing the importance of familiarity with the specific diseases and thorough knowledge of the underlying anatomy for successful outcomes.

Understanding of Equine Foot Anatomy and Disease

• The research highlights the importance of understanding the anatomy of the equine foot, particularly the area beneath the hoof capsule, for any surgical intervention to be successful. This knowledge is crucial given the perceived difficulty of surgery on the equine foot due to the hoof capsule.
• Additionally, it emphasizes the need to be aware of the specific disease entities, in other words the particular conditions, that necessitate surgical intervention. This knowledge base facilitates selecting the appropriate surgical approach.

Surgical Approaches to Specific Equine Foot Conditions

• The article presents detailed information on the surgical approaches employed to treat various foot conditions in horses, including septic navicular bursitis, septic pedal osteitis, infections of the collateral cartilages, and keratomas.
• Septic navicular bursitis, a painful condition in horses involving infection and inflammation of the navicular bursa, is approached surgically with the aim of cleaning the bursa and relieving the horse of the associated discomfort.
• Septic pedal osteitis, a condition involving inflammation and infection of the pedal bone, is managed surgically by removing infected material from the foot and stabilizing the bone.
• Infections of the collateral cartilages, which involve inflammation of the cartilages in the foot of the horse, and keratomas, benign growths that develop underneath the horse’s hoof, are also taken into account in this research.

Applying Principles Across Conditions

• The principles and surgical strategies discussed in this paper are not exclusive to the conditions mentioned. These principles can be extended and applied to a variety of other equine foot conditions that necessitate access through the hoof wall.