Measurement accuracy of foot conformation parameters on low-field magnetic resonance images in horses.
Authors: Bolt, Carrier, Sheridan, Manso-Diaz, Berner
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Foot imbalance and digital malalignment significantly affect equine performance and longevity, with radiographic measurements of angles and distances forming the foundation of evidence-based corrective farriery. Researchers compared 100 horses' standing low-field MR images against radiographic measurements across multiple conformation parameters in both dorsopalmar and lateromedial planes to determine whether MR could reliably replace radiography for pre-farriery assessment. Whilst moderate-to-high correlations emerged for most angular measurements between the two modalities, the proximal interphalangeal joint angle showed notably poor agreement (correlation coefficients of 0.40–0.47), suggesting systematic differences in how these imaging techniques visualise this critical joint space. Low-field MR should therefore be interpreted cautiously when making trimming and shoeing recommendations; clinicians should ideally obtain current radiographs immediately before or after MR examination if precise conformation measurements are required to guide corrective work. This finding underscores that MR—whilst valuable for soft-tissue assessment—cannot yet fully substitute radiography for the quantitative skeletal measurements that farriers and veterinarians rely upon for accurate therapeutic shoeing protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Low-field MR images should not replace radiographs for foot conformation measurements in corrective trimming and shoeing decisions—use radiographs as the standard reference
- •If MR imaging is performed for other diagnostic purposes, obtain concurrent radiographs to ensure accurate foot conformation assessment for trimming and shoeing
- •Exercise particular caution when interpreting proximal interphalangeal joint angles from MR images, as agreement with radiographic measurements is poor
Key Findings
- •Moderate to high correlation found between radiographic and MR measurements for foot conformation angles in lateromedial and dorsopalmar planes
- •Proximal interphalangeal joint angle showed only moderate agreement between radiographs and 5-plane MR images (r=0.47, P<0.001)
- •Proximal interphalangeal joint angle showed only moderate agreement between radiographs and 3-plane MR images (r=0.4, P<0.001)
- •Most measurements from different imaging sources were significantly different from each other