Keratoma's > Large Keratoma (10)
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Dorsal view post-surgery
This is a horse I assisted Dave Nicholls in shoeing at Liphook vets. He just had a Keratoma removed from the front of his hind foot. This picture was taken Mid-February so as the pictures unfold you can get an idea as to how fast it grows out.
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6 weeks later
This picture was taken 6 weeks later. It has already started to keratinise (harden) up nicely.
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Exactly 5 months after surgery!
Now this is amazing, this was taken 5 months after the original surgery and you can see it has nearly grown out completely. Just one more shoeing and it will be gone for good. All the new horn is very healthy, and if you didn't know about it now you'd barely be able to tell all of that had gone on.
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Step 1 Phalangeal Plate
I'm not taking any credit for this Phalangeal Plate, it was made by Dave Nicholls and was a masterpiece when it was finished. I was observing and helping where I could. Firstly Dave drew around the shoe and accurately measured the plate that was going to be covering the open wound. It needed to be a removable system so it could be packed and re-dressed daily. The whole aluminium plate will be secured with 4 bolts.
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Step 2 Phalangeal Plate
So the plate was cut out, holes drilled to attach it to the shoe, then the front plate needed to be heated and moulded in the shape of the hoof wall. I make it sound like it was easy but this is a very hard job to get just right.
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Step 3 Phalangeal Plate
The front plate is beginning to take shape now. Just a bit more bend to it.
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Step 4 Phalangeal Plate
Well it's shaped and nearly ready to go now, just the finishing touches left to be done.
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Attaching it
This is where we all had our fingers crossed that it fitted and that the last hours work was worth it. It is screwed into the shoe and held by four bolts.
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It Fits
Well all tight and secure now and fitting snuggly around the open wound which will prevent the dressings from falling out. He will need to wear this plate until it's all hardened up underneath and no longer needs dressing.
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Phalangeal Plate
This picture shows it off quite well, just shows what can be made when there is a need.