Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) with a passive optical tracking system is the new future for repairing internal hoof fractures, providing highly accurate placement of screws and the chance for "perfect" results, according to a new study by Swiss researchers.

Navicular screw

CAS with Vetgate guided veterinary surgeons for the perfect placement of this 3.5 mm screw in a navicular bone.

Equipped with two infrared cameras that capture data coming from light emitted by trackers, "VetGate" is a new CAS system allowing for fine precision when dealing with the delicate bones of the equine foot, said Cornelia Schwarz, DVM, researcher in the department of equine surgery at the University of Zurich. As a result, surgeons are now able to repair navicular and coffin bone fractures with relatively wide screws, thus obtaining better stability of the fracture. For coffin bone fractures, they are also now able to use two screws instead of one

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