Posted by Patty Stiller on March 22, 2001 at 00:39:11:
In Reply to: Re: caudal rotation posted by Derin Foor on March 21, 2001 at 23:05:15:
: : Hi everyone
: : Any suggestion on how to relieve the joint jamming.
: : I know how to trim the hoof and sole .want to try something to help the jamming when it is caudal rotation
: : Thanks Billy
: Start with good lateral x-rays...otherwise you are simply guessing......it is often a matter of reducing the toe and leaving as much heel as practical (you still need to get the foot under the horse's leg).....wedges are generally indicated .....impression material under the pads will help a lot
: these horses often lack sole depth so be careful with your knife!
: the goal is to get P1,2 and 3 to be in alignment....the "jamming" should be corrected if you achieve this ~~~ hope this helps
: Derin
If by "caudal rotation" you are referring to the rear of the coffin bone being lower to the gound than the front, then we are defining the same thing in my response.
In getting the bone re-aligned it is good to remember that this condition is usually caused by the foot being very weak in the digital cushion, lacking the strong ungual cartilage to support the rear of the coffin bone.
Therefore, it is caudal support that is most important. Be very careful in trimming the front of the foot. NEVER invade the natural sole callous in an attempt to shorten the toe to raise the hoof angle.
Instead, use support and wedging through the rear of the foot to re-align things.
A frog support pad along with dental impresion material usually works the best.And remember to keep the breakover at about a quarter inch in front of the tip of the coffin bone, radiographically.
Simply bringing the breakover back to it's correct anatomical position can correct a "broken back" coffin bone angle somewhat. That has been proven by a study done by Dr barbara page in Colorado recently.
Patty