Osteopathology in the Equine Distal Phalanx Associated With the Development and Progression of Laminitis.
Abstract: Although the equine distal phalanx and hoof lamellae are biomechanically and physiologically integrated, bony changes in the distal phalanx are poorly described in laminitis. The aims of this study were (1) to establish a laminitis grading scheme that can be applied to the wide spectrum of lesions seen in naturally occurring cases and (2) to measure and describe changes in the distal phalanx associated with laminitis using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. Thirty-six laminitic and normal feet from 15 performance and nonperformance horses were evaluated. A laminitis grading scheme based on radiographic, gross, histopathologic, and temporal parameters was developed. Laminitis severity grades generated by this scheme correlated well with clinical severity and coincided with decreased distal phalanx bone volume and density as measured by micro-CT. Laminitic hoof wall changes included progressive ventral rotation and distal displacement of the distal phalanx with increased thickness of the stratum internum-corium tissues with lamellar wedge formation. Histologically, there was epidermal lamellar necrosis with basement membrane separation and dysplastic regeneration, including acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, corresponding to the lamellar wedge. The changes detected by micro-CT corresponded to microscopic findings in the bone, including osteoclastic osteolysis of trabecular and osteonal bone with medullary inflammation and fibrosis. Bone changes were identified in horses with mild/early stages of laminitis as well as severe/chronic stages. The authors conclude that distal phalangeal pathology is a quantifiable and significant component of laminitis pathology and may have important implications for early detection or therapeutic intervention of equine laminitis.
© The Author(s) 2015.
Publication Date: 2015-06-10 PubMed ID: 26063172DOI: 10.1177/0300985815588604Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the changes in the equine distal phalanx – part of a horse’s hoof – connected with the development and progression of a disease called laminitis. The researchers used micro-computed tomography and histology to assess these changes and to create a laminitis grading scheme.
Context of the Research
- Laminitis is a hoof disease that can affect the performance and well-being of horses. Despite the integral relationship between the distal phalanx and hoof lamellae, bone changes in the distal phalanx related to laminitis are not clearly defined.
- This work aimed to establish and apply a laminitis grading scheme to the range of lesions seen in naturally occurring cases of laminitis. Comparatively, the loop also sought to analyze the changes in the distal phalanx related to laminitis.
Methods and Findings
- The researchers used the hooves of 15 performance and non-performance horses, some of which were laminitic, and some of which were healthy. They used micro-CT scans and histology to examine these hooves.
- A laminitis grading scheme was created using radiographic, gross, histopathologic, and temporal parameters, showing a strong correlation to the clinical severity of laminitis. This grading scheme also aligns with reduced distal phalanx bone volume and density as determined by micro-CT.
- The changes observed in laminitic hooves ranged from progressive ventral rotation, distal displacement of the distal phalanx, increased thickness of the stratum internum-corium tissues, and lamellar wedge formation. Also, there were microscopic findings of necrosis, basement membrane separation, dysplastic regeneration, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis.
- The micro-CT detected changes corresponded with microscopic findings in the bone, which included inflammation, fibrosis, and osteoclastic osteolysis of the trabecular and osteonal bones.
- These bone changes were found in horses with both early and more chronic stages of laminitis.
Significance of the Study
- The study has significant implications for the detection and treatment of equine laminitis: the findings suggest that changes in the distal phalanx are indicative of the disease and can be quantified.
- This study contributes to a better understanding of the pathology of equine laminitis and could lead to improved early detection methods and potential treatments for the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Engiles JB, Galantino-Homer HL, Boston R, McDonald D, Dishowitz M, Hankenson KD.
(2015).
Osteopathology in the Equine Distal Phalanx Associated With the Development and Progression of Laminitis.
Vet Pathol, 52(5), 928-944.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985815588604 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA engiles@vet.upenn.edu.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Toe Phalanges / diagnostic imaging
- Toe Phalanges / pathology
- X-Ray Microtomography / veterinary
Grant Funding
- T35RR07065 / NCRR NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Ennsmann LH, Licka TF. Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1598038.
- Turek B, Jankowski K, Pawlikowski M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Innovative approach in the treatment of comminuted proximal phalanx fractures in horses based on biomechanical modelling. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 19;15(1):13562.
- Pielok A, Kępska M, Steczkiewicz Z, Grobosz S, Bourebaba L, Marycz K. Equine Hoof Progenitor Cells Display Increased Mitochondrial Metabolism and Adaptive Potential to a Highly Pro-Inflammatory Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Jul 14;24(14).
- Sundberg JP, Galantino-Homer H, Fairfield H, Ward-Bailey PF, Harris BS, Berry M, Pratt CH, Gott NE, Bechtold LS, Kaplan PR, Durbin-Johnson BP, Rocke DM, Rice RH. Witch Nails (Krt90whnl): A spontaneous mouse mutation affecting nail growth and development. PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277284.
- Yitbarek D, Dagnaw GG. Application of Advanced Imaging Modalities in Veterinary Medicine: A Review. Vet Med (Auckl) 2022;13:117-130.
- Cassimeris L, Engiles JB, Galantino-Homer H. Interleukin-17A pathway target genes are upregulated in Equus caballus supporting limb laminitis. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0232920.
- Armstrong C, Cassimeris L, Da Silva Santos C, Micoogullari Y, Wagner B, Babasyan S, Brooks S, Galantino-Homer H. The expression of equine keratins K42 and K124 is restricted to the hoof epidermal lamellae of Equus caballus. PLoS One 2019;14(9):e0219234.
- Cassimeris L, Engiles JB, Galantino-Homer H. Detection of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response in naturally-occurring endocrinopathic equine laminitis. BMC Vet Res 2019 Jan 10;15(1):24.
- Angelone M, Conti V, Biacca C, Battaglia B, Pecorari L, Piana F, Gnudi G, Leonardi F, Ramoni R, Basini G, Dotti S, Renzi S, Ferrari M, Grolli S. The Contribution of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma to the Treatment of Chronic Equine Laminitis: A Proof of Concept. Int J Mol Sci 2017 Oct 11;18(10).
- Yamada K, Inui T, Itoh M, Yanagawa M, Sato F, Tominari M, Mizobe F, Kishimoto M, Sasaki N. Characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for severe chronic laminitis in a Thoroughbred horse. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):105-110.
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