The relationship between sagittal hoof conformation and hindlimb lameness in the horse

Abstract

Summary Background 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. Objectives To determine if there is an association between hoof balance in the sagittal plane and hindlimb lameness. Study design 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. Main limitations 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

An investigation into the association between plantar distal phalanx angle and hindlimb lameness in aUKpopulation of horses

“…This finding is in agreement with the study by Pezzanite et al . (). Whether hind foot imbalance is the cause or a consequence of the upper hindlimb lameness is unknown, and this study merely indicates there is an association between hindlimb lameness and DP hind foot imbalance.…”

“…This is in contrast to the study by Pezzanite et al . () where lower angles were associated with lameness localised to the tarsus and proximal metatarsal region. Interestingly, Pezzanite et al .…”

“…Only recently has it started to receive attention in scientific studies (Pezzanite et al . ). Up until that point, there was very little information published with regard to their significance (Clayton ; O'Grady and Merriam ) probably because the hind feet, which are not subjected to the same ground reaction forces as the front feet (Gustas et al .…”

“…Pezzanite et al . () were the first to investigate the potential relationship between dorsoplantar (sagittal) hoof conformation and hindlimb lameness. They concluded that distal phalanx angle was lower in horses with lameness localised to the tarsus and proximal metatarsal region but did not imply whether it was a cause or effect relationship.…”

Clinical insights: Lameness diagnosis in sports horses

“…Conformational traits can predispose to orthopaedic injuries and hind foot conformation has been shown to affect kinematic parameters in the hindlimb 25 . In a recent study, lameness localised to the distal tarsal and proximal metatarsal regions was associated with negative or neutral plantar angle of the distal phalanx, measured on lateromedial radiographs 26 . From the study it could not be established whether neutral/negative plantar angle of the distal phalanx contributed to development of lameness or was a consequence of it.…”