Clinical history A 13 month old Islandic horse was acutely lame on the right hind limb - physical examination was unable to localize the site of the pain. Radiographs were made of the affected foot. Radiograph of the right hind foot Radiographic diagnosis Normal study
- Normally appearing physeal plates
- No evidence of soft tissue swelling
Width of the distal interphalangeal joint on the DP view was thought to be due to positioning of the foot. Additional views were made of P3 DP radiographs of P3 Oblique radiographs of P3 Magnification studies Magnification studies Diagnosis Sagittal fracture of P3, type 3 with fracture lines through the dorsal and the solar cortex - the fracture line divides the distal phalanx into two separate halves - the fracture line is not seen to be articular in this patient. Comments The fracture line must not be confused with the radiolucent line created by the medial sulcus of the frog - the following can be helpful:
- Make slightly oblique DP views showing the fracture line in a slightly oblique manner
- The solar surface can be packed with a material of similar density as the sole and thus fill the sulcus resulting in any lucent line being due to a fracture
- The solar surface can be pared away flattening the solar surface resulting in any lucent line being due to a fracture
- The DP radiograph can be made of the opposite foot permitting comparison
