What can imaging do for farriery?

Introduction

Radiography of the feet is an important component of any preventive foot care programme but also of any therapeutic shoeing approach. At a minimum a lateralomedial radiograph of each forefoot should be considered, but a lateromedial and dorsopalmar podiatry film of each forefoot and hindfoot would make for a more complete preventive approach. When the radiographs are taken with the shoes on, a pictorial record is created. In addition, specific measurements can be made from the films for current or future reference.

Technique

The lateromedial projection is performed with the foot elevated from ground level to include its bearing surface on the radiograph. This can be achieved by positioning the foot weightbearing on a flat block, or nonweightbearing in the navicular block. Assessment of foot balance is best performed on weightbearing radiographs performed on a flat block. The limb must be perpendicular to the ground and rotation of the foot on the block must be avoided. The central beam should be horizontal and directed tangential to both heel bulbs. For accurate assessment of foot balance or laminitis, the central beam is best aimed at the level of the solar margin of the distal phalanx (i.e. 1–2 cm proximal to the solar margin of the hoof) on a line midway between the dorsal and palmar borders of the coronary band. A radiopaque marker such as a soldering wire of known length to delineate the dorsal hoof wall can be taped onto and conformed to the shape of the dorsal hoof wall. If the exact length of the wire is known, the amount of magnification present can then be calculated. It is important to determine the skin–coronary band junction consistently for the placement of the end of the wire. It is equally important to consistently place the cassette medially at the same distance from the foot, i.e. in contact with the medial hoof wall, to avoid variations in the amount of magnification.  […]