This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Coffin Bone Fracture »
  Discussion on Coffin Bone Fracture
Author Message

Posted on Thursday, Feb 8, 2001 - 12:15 pm:

I have a 6y/o Tennessee Walker that has had a radiographic assessment of a longitudinal fracture from the tip of the P3 bisecting the body of the bone and most likely involving the lateral articular space of the coffin joint. Is it possible for this injury to heal w/o surgical intervention? Will this horse be able to carry a rider again? What would the treatment plan be if surgery was not done and are the chances for recovery significantly less than a surgical correction? Thank You

Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2001 - 7:19 am:

Hello Kathy,
I think I need to redo this article to better answer questions like these. I will try and get it up in the next few days.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2001 - 8:06 pm:

As I only recenty joined this forum,this is a bit late to help your horse but may be of use for others in the future.
There are some folks who have used the EDSS system with it's solid aluminum P3 fracture plate and tall wedge rails with great success in interarticular coffin bone fractures.
The procedure is as follows:
The foot is prepared so the hoof wall alone will contact the shoe.(In other words enough wall is left above the sole so there is no sole contact).
The EDSS and it's solid plate are nailed on. It is important that no support material of any type be placed under the plate..there must be space left between the sole and plate .
The idea in the treatment is to eliminate all expansion of the hoof and raise the bone angle to relieve all the tension on the DDF.
The tallest wedges EDSS makes are applied to the ground surface.
The foot will contract some over time but that is fine as it must do that in order to "cast" the fracture.
As the fracture heals the wedges can be lowered a little bit in later shoeings, until finally there are no wedges. The farriers and vets who have had the opportunity to do a few of these said the results were great, and without the risk of surgery.
I have not had the opportunity to treat an articular P3 fracture yet but have used this same technique, on a pretty serious navicular fracture and the horse is back to full use in 10 months. Just another option to consider. Patty
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC