article
Minimising hoof
distortion in
laminitis. Part 2
By Tom Ryan, FWCF
In part 1, I explained how hoof capsule distortion
may hold the key to understanding laminitis, here I
describe how the painful effects of hoof distortion
have been reduced with vertical grooves cut into the
Fig 1
hoof wall.
I would like to make clear from the outset that This is when grooving can be most effective, of haematoma and seroma can form under
when I refer to laminitis I am not talking about as it can minimise the amount the hoof is the dorsal wall or under the solar surface,
founder, which is often a sequel to severe distorting before too much damage is inflicted and, ultimately, prolapse of the distal phalanx
laminitis but inflammation of the laminae – true on the laminae. At this early acute stage, the can occur. All these conditions are extremely
laminitis. majority of the pain is caused purely by hoof painful but will not be eased by retrospectively
Before attempting to groove the hooves of a
distortion exerting an extension force onto the grooving the hoof wall and will require dorsal
laminitic animal, I always insist on veterinary
laminae, so the response to grooving is good wall resection and sole release procedures,
approval, this is usually given in 95 per cent of
with a reduction in pain being apparent within often horses are euthanased at this point.
cases, but sometimes the vet may not want
hours. As the condition progresses, more
Attempting grooving to provide pain
to give consent, so I have to respect their
sources of pain are created, and the chances
relief
opinion. Veterinary approval is essential as
of quickly reducing pain diminish. Early
the outcome of any one case undergoing any
grooving can slow the progression and avoid
The grooving procedure is relatively simple, and
form of treatment is unpredictable, and vertical
more painful complications.
can be accomplished with just a very sharp
grooving is not a ‘cure all’ procedure. It must be remembered that a great deal of
farriers’ draw knife. A groove is positioned each
side of the dorsal surface and extends from
Laminitis can occur in a sub-group of equines
damage occurs quickly in some cases, but
below the coronary band down to the ground
in one foot or more with a history of flexural
may not become evident until much later, after
surface. The grooves must penetrate the full
deformity or very upright conformation, which
a period of progressive deterioration. This is
thickness of the hoof wall to isolate the dorsal
have developed laminitis after a period of
why it is impossible to predict the course in
surface from each heel area. There is a slight
heel lowering in an attempt to improve the
any one case of laminitis. While some cases
risk of making the foot bleed, so I always warn
appearance of the hooves. These ‘clubfoot’ or
may recover without intervention, it is always
the owner before I start. This rarely happens,
mechanical type laminitis cases are unsuitable
the preferred option to obtain a good outcome
and does not seem to cause pain when it does.
for the grooving procedure as the remaining
and, in my opinion, grooving helps to tip the
dorsal section of hoof wall may be overloaded
odds towards a better outcome.
In uncomplicated early acute cases, pain relief
with the weight of the animal after the grooving It is against this background that radiographs
can be observed almost immediately after
procedure has been preformed. Unfortunately may be taken and treatment choices are made,
grooving. This is because much of the stress
it can be difficult to identify this sub-group with nobody being absolutely sure just how
being exerted by hoof capsule distortion is
without a full history for the animal or when severe the case will become.
relieved by the insertion of the grooves, even
more than one foot is involved.
though the hoof shows no sign of distortion.
The perils of not addressing hoof Unfortunately, I don’t get referred many
Three stages of laminitis distortion early acute cases, it is only when they have
Laminitis is usually divided into three stages, If the effects of hoof capsule distortion are not
deteriorated that referrals are made.
developmental, acute and chronic, most of the addressed, the more severe cases will continue The fact that early acute laminitis cases
damage to the laminae occurs during a very to deteriorate and the distal phalanx may respond so well to being grooved confirms to
short period at the start of the acute phase. become unstable. Complications in the form me that I’m doing something right, and this
Fig 2 Fig 3
➲
8 Forge | October 2009
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