The relationship between sagittal hoof conformation and hindlimb lameness in the horse.
Abstract: Lameness can be multifactorial and may result from the accumulation of multiple seemingly unrelated causes. The identification of factors associated with lameness could be one method to decrease incidence of lameness and prolong the equine athlete's competitive life. Objective: To determine if there is an association between hoof balance in the sagittal plane and hindlimb lameness. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Eighty client-owned horses with hindlimb lameness (cases) and 80 horses with no detectable hindlimb lameness (controls) were prospectively enroled following lameness evaluation as either cases (lameness localised with regional anaesthesia) or controls (no hindlimb lameness). Lameness cases were divided based on location (stifle, tarsus, proximal metatarsus and other sites). Lateromedial radiographs were performed on hind hooves and plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PADP) was determined. The prevalence of negative/neutral PADP and median PADPs were calculated. Conditional logistic regression and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to analyse PADPs, and odds ratios were calculated. Significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The mean PADP was significantly smaller in cases compared to controls. The mean PADP was significantly smaller in horses with lameness localised to tarsus and proximal suspensory, but not the stifle. Lameness in horses was associated with a negative/neutral PADP (Odds ratio [OR] 3.87, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.97-7.61, P<0.01), with lameness localised to the tarsus (OR 4.98, 95% CI 1.34-18.54, P = 0.01) and proximal suspensory (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.11-23.89, P = 0.03) being associated with a negative/neutral PADP. Conclusions: It is unknown whether the negative/neutral PADP contributed to lameness or lameness resulted in lower PADP. Conclusions: Horses with hindlimb lameness localised to the distal tarsus and proximal metatarsus, but not the stifle, were more likely to have negative/neutral PADPs. Corrective farriery to improve PADP may be investigated further as one component in the treatment of hindlimb lameness localised to regions proximal to the foot. The Summary is available in Portuguese - see Supporting Information.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018-12-15 PubMed ID: 30472759DOI: 10.1111/evj.13050Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the connection between hoof balance or alignment (in the sagittal plane) and hindlimb lameness in horses. The study found that horses with hindlimb lameness, particularly those localized to the distal tarsus and proximal metatarsus, were more likely to exhibit negative or neutral plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PADP).
Methodology
- The study took into account 160 horses in total with 80 of them being lame in their hindlimbs (cases) and 80 showing no signs of lameness (controls).
- The team used lateromedial radiographs (X-rays taken from side to side) to study the hind hooves of these horses and to calculate the plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PADP).
- In addition, the researchers divided the cases of lameness based on the affected area viz., stifle, tarsus, proximal metatarsus, and other potential sites.
- The frequency of negative or neutral PADP, along with median PADP values, were calculated for these groups.
- Data analysis was done using Conditional logistic regression and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.
Observations
- An interesting observation was significantly smaller PADP in horses showing signs of lameness compared to the horses that were not impacted.
- This significant difference is particularly seen in horses with lameness localised to tarsus and proximal suspensory but not in the stifles.
- Existence of a negative or neutral PADP was considerably associated with incidents of lameness in horses.
Outcomes
- While it is confirmed that a negative/neutral PADP is related to hindlimb lameness, it remains unclear whether this PADP contributes to lameness or if the lameness resulted in a lower PADP.
- Nonetheless, the study indicates that horses with hindlimb lameness, especially if it’s localised to the distal tarsus and proximal metatarsus (but not the stifle), are more likely to feature negative or neutral PADPs.
- Based on these findings, corrective farriery (the practice of shoeing horses or the entire process of hoof care) could be further explored as a component in treating hindlimb lameness, particularly in cases where lameness is localised to regions proximal to the foot.
Cite This Article
APA
Pezzanite L, Bass L, Kawcak C, Goodrich L, Moorman V.
(2018).
The relationship between sagittal hoof conformation and hindlimb lameness in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 51(4), 464-469.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13050 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Hindlimb / pathology
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / therapy
- Movement Disorders
Grant Funding
- American Quarter Horse Foundation
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ. Hoof Unevenness in Juvenile Quarter Horses During First 6 Months of Training.. J Equine Vet Sci 2023 Jul;126:104494.
- Sharp Y, Tabor G. An Investigation into the Effects of Changing Dorso-Plantar Hoof Balance on Equine Hind Limb Posture.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
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