Outcomes of Solar Surface Penetration Injuries Studied

Solar foot penetrations involving the joints can be career- and even life-threatening injuries.
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Hoof sole penetration injuries are no small matter, though they might be nearly indiscernible to the eye and affect a small area. It’s more about what’s going on deep inside the hoof, where concealed damage to internal structures can be disastrous; the prognosis for horses injuring these structures to return to their prior athletic level is often bleak, and some horses might even require euthanasia if sepsis takes hold.

“The term ‘solar foot penetration’ can be used to describe a number of injuries, ranging from a simple nail prick following farriery and injuries involving just the horn of the foot and the digital cushion, through to deep injuries involving important structures such as the tendons and joints within the foot,” explained Judith Findley, BSc, BVM&S, Cert AVP (ES-O), MRCVS, of the University of Liverpool, in England. “Our study focused solely on those injuries which involved the joints and bursa of the foot (synovial structures).”

The team analyzed data from 95 cases with penetrating injuries to the coffin joint, navicular bursa, or digital flexor tendon sheath at four veterinary hospitals in the United Kingdom, and found that only 56% of the horses survived treatment and were discharged. Of those recovering to discharge, 57% returned to pre-injury athletic function. In total, only 36% of horses in this study returned to full performance ability

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Freelance journalist Natalie DeFee Mendik is a multiple American Horse Publications editorial and graphics awards winner specializing in equestrian media. She holds an MA in English from Colorado State University and an International Federation of Journalists’ International press card, and is a member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists. With over three decades of horse experience, Natalie’s main equine interests are dressage and vaulting. Having lived and ridden in England, Switzerland, and various parts of the United States, Natalie currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two girls.

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