Resection

A medial and lateral palmar/plantar nerve block is applied at the level of the proximal sesamoid bone.

The involved foot is picked up and thoroughly cleaned.

With the appropriate preparation and draping of the surgical site, this procedure is performed with the patient placed in lateral recumbency

The solar margin in the fracture region or around the draining tract if there is one is thinned with a “clean” hoof knife layer for layer until the fragment is encountered.

The fragment is identified, isolated, and removed.

The fracture bed and surrounding bone is carefully curetted. All undermined sole, if present, is removed down to healthy sole/bone.

A postoperative radiograph is taken to assure complete removal of the/all fragment(s).

If possible follow-up pictures are taken.

A sterile bandage is applied and the horse returned to its stall. The horse is kept in the box stall for 10 days.
The bandage is changed every 2 days until the defect of the bone is covered with clean, healthy granulation tissue and is dry.

Once the defect is covered by healthy tissue, the foot can be placed in a well-fitting plastic shoe.

An alternate technique uses a nailed-on horse shoe to which a footplate can be screwed on to protect the healing defect until normal solar horn is formed again.

If possible, follow-up pictures are taken.