Contracted Claw, Flat Claw, Laminitis Type Claw – Finite Element Analysis of Three Pathological Claw Forms

Three pathological claw capsules, one from a lateral hind contracted claw (CC) as the early stage of a cork screw claw, one from a medial front flat claw (FC) and one from a lateral hind claw affected with the changes of chronic laminitis (LC) were digitized to use their three dimensional geometry data for the construction of three finite element models (FEM). Material data, especially the modulus of elasticity tested in tension tests, were different for the three claw form. Material properties for the FEMs were taken from previous investigations of the same work group. The FEMs were all loaded with 756 N according to the suspensory apparatus of the claw wall and the support system of the distal phalanx. Von Mises stresses and strains and the static landing behaviour of the loaded FEMs on fully supporting soft floors were evaluated. The FEM-CC showed high stresses and strains in the curved region of the abaxial wall and landed in the tendency of rolling outwards. The FEM-LC showed highest stresses and strains in the grooved dorsal wall and landed with the tendency of rolling inwards and the FEM-FC showed high stresses and strains in the flat sole and the distal rim of the claw ...