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Open veterinary journal2014; 4(2); 78-81;

The palmar metric: A novel radiographic assessment of the equine distal phalanx.

Abstract: Digital radiographs are often used to subjectively assess the equine digit. Recently, quantitative and objective radiographic measurements have been reported that give new insight into the form and function of the equine digit. We investigated a radio-dense curvilinear profile along the distal phalanx on lateral radiographs we term the Palmar Curve (PC) that we believe provides a measurement of the concavity of the distal phalanx of the horse. A second quantitative measurement, the Palmar Metric (PM) was defined as the percent area under the PC. We correlated the PM and age from 544 radiographs of the distal phalanx from the left and right front feet of various breed horses of known age, and 278 radiographs of the front feet of Quarter Horses. The PM was negatively correlated with age and decreased at a rate of 0.28 % per year for horses of various breeds and 0.33 % per year for Quarter Horses. Therefore, veterinarians should be aware of age related change in the concave, parietal solar aspect of the distal phalanx in the horse.
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Publication Date: 2014-08-09 PubMed ID: 26623343PubMed Central: PMC4629600
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research uses digital radiographs to objectively evaluate the shape and function of the horse’s digit with a focus on the distal phalanx. It introduces the Palmar Curve and Palmar Metric as measurements of the bone’s concavity, and reveals that these metrics decrease with age.

Research Overview

  • The research aims to provide a quantitative and objective means of analyzing the horse’s distal phalanx using digital radiographs, focusing specifically on a feature referred to as the Palmar Curve (PC).
  • The team defined a second measurement, the Palmar Metric (PM), which represents the percentage of the area beneath the PC.
  • The researchers then sought to understand the relationship between PM and the age of the horse.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • The team studied and analyzed 544 radiographs of the left and right front feet of various breed horses of known age, plus 278 radiographs of the front feet of Quarter Horses.
  • These digit radiographs were carefully examined to calculate the PM and correlate it to the age of each horse involved in the study.

Findings

  • Results showed a negative correlation between PM and the age of the horse, indicating that as the horse ages, the PM decreases.
  • In terms of numbers, for a variety of horse breeds, PM decreased at a rate of 0.28% per year, while for Quarter Horses, it decreased at a rate of 0.33% per year.

Implications

  • The findings suggest that the concave aspect of the distal phalanx in the horse changes with age.
  • Veterinarians should be aware of these age-related changes when examining the health and state of the distal phalanx in horses, based on digital radiographs.

Cite This Article

APA
Burd MA, Craig JJ, Craig MF. (2014). The palmar metric: A novel radiographic assessment of the equine distal phalanx. Open Vet J, 4(2), 78-81.

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2226-4485
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 2
Pages: 78-81

Researcher Affiliations

Burd, M A
  • Animal Science Department, California Polytechnic State University, One Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, USA.
Craig, J J
  • Eponatech, Inc., P.O. Box 361, Creston, CA 93432, USA.
Craig, M F
  • Eponatech, Inc., P.O. Box 361, Creston, CA 93432, USA.

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This article includes 14 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Gündemir O, Szara T, Pazvant G, Erdikmen DO, Duro S, Perez W. Radiogrametric Analysis of the Thoracic Limb Phalanges in Arabian Horses and Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 26;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082205pubmed: 34438663google scholar: lookup
  2. Ennsmann LH, Licka TF. Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1598038.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038pubmed: 40786980google scholar: lookup
  3. Khaledi KA, Mirshahi A, Sardari K, Azizzadeh M, Ghasemi S. Radiographic assessment of normal parameters of forelimb distal phalanx in Turkmen horses. Vet Res Forum 2024;15(1):43-47.
    doi: 10.30466/vrf.2023.562962.3653pubmed: 38464607google scholar: lookup
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