Some measurement on the degree of distal phalangeal rotation angle in horses suffering from laminitis

ABSTRACT

The degree of distal phalangeal rotation angle [DPR] and the mean distance of line from the distal point of the third phalanx to the front of the hoof wall were evaluated radiographically in 25 normal horses and 30 horses affected with laminitis. The horses with DPR angle <3.7 degrees rotation showed favorable prognosis and returned to former healthy condition. Horses with more than 8.6 degrees rotation showed poor prognosis. The increase in DPR angle and the mean distance of line from the distal point of PIII decreased the probability of the horse to performance ability. These presented criteria provide an easy, practical method for evaluating the performance ability for the horses affected with laminitis