Nonseptic Pedal Osteitis: A Cause of Lameness and a Diagnosis?

Pedal osteitis is a radiographic description of structural changes at the solar margin of the distal phalanx rather than a proven disease and cause of lameness. Little is known about the pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause the associated radiographic changes, and it is difficult to regard pedal osteitis as a primary disease. The radiographic changes leading to this descriptive designation have a variety of causes; thus, pedal osteitis is often an inappropriate definitive diagnosis by itself. This presentation describes the radiographic findings and causes and proposes more appropriate terminology. Authors’ addresses: Dept. of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 (Moyer and Walker); Dept. of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, CA 95616 (O’Brien). r 1999 AAEP.