Three-dimensional kinematics of the distal forelimb in horses trotting on a treadmill and effects of elevation of heel and toe.
Authors: Chateau, Degueurce, Denoix
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst farriers routinely apply heel and toe wedges to manage distal forelimb pathology, until recently the precise biomechanical effects on the digital joints remained poorly understood, largely because previous kinematic studies using skin markers cannot capture true bone movement. Using surgically implanted ultrasonic markers on the four distal forelimb segments of three horses, Chateau and colleagues quantified three-dimensional joint motion during treadmill trotting and compared movement patterns between flat shoes, 6-degree heel wedges, and 6-degree toe wedges. Heel wedges significantly increased flexion and reduced extension at both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ and DIPJ), whilst toe wedges produced the opposite effect—reducing interphalangeal flexion and increasing extension—yet neither condition altered metacarpophalangeal joint kinematics or any three-dimensional rotations outside the sagittal plane. These findings validate the clinical rationale for wedged shoes in managing interphalangeal joint dysfunction but also highlight that their effects are restricted to sagittal plane motion, suggesting that practitioners should consider additional interventions for pathologies involving lateral or rotational abnormalities of the distal limb.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Heel wedges increase flexion of the digital joints, which may be beneficial for managing distal forelimb injuries by reducing extension stress on interphalangeal joints
- •Toe wedges produce opposite biomechanical effects and may be more appropriate for conditions requiring reduced flexion; farriers should select wedge type based on specific pathology
- •Effects are limited to sagittal plane motion of interphalangeal joints; farriery modifications do not significantly alter metacarpophalangeal joint mechanics or lateral/medial movements
Key Findings
- •Heel wedges significantly increased maximal flexion and decreased maximal extension of proximal and distal interphalangeal joints
- •Toe wedges produced inverse effects on interphalangeal joint motion (except for PIPJ maximal extension)
- •Metacarpophalangeal joint flexion-extension and extrasagittal motions of digital joints were unaffected by heel or toe wedges
- •Heel and toe wedges alter sagittal plane kinematics of interphalangeal joints at slow trot on treadmill