Nonseptic osteitis of the distal phalanx and its palmar processes

There is a large spectrum of radiological variants of the distal phalanx that can be seen in both sound and lame horses. Osteitis of the distal phalanx implies active inflammation, a diagnosis that can only be made supported by nuclear scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Osteitis of the distal phalanx as a primary cause of lameness is relatively unusual, but may be the result of acute or chronic bone trauma or be associated with adjacent laminar disruption. Bone trauma may also be seen in association with moderate to extensive uniaxial or biaxial ossification of the cartilages of the foot. Bone lesions also occur in association with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint or at, or adjacent to, the insertion of one of the collateral ligaments of the DIP joint.