Understanding lameness in sows: Research insights from Dr. Lluís Fabà

Lameness remains one of the most persistent challenges in commercial swine production. Despite significant improvements in genetics, nutrition and housing systems, the condition continues to impose major costs on producers while raising animal welfare concerns. Dr. Lluís Fabà, a veterinarian and swine researcher with Trouw Nutrition, has focused much of his research and work on understanding the multifactorial causes of lameness and evaluating strategies to prevent it.

Why lameness matters

For many farms, lameness is more than just another health issue – it is one of the leading reasons that young sows are culled prematurely. This makes it a problem that cuts across sustainability, profitability and welfare.

“The reason why lameness is so important is because it’s the main reason for culling young sows from the herd, and pig farmers have invested a lot in their breeding stock to have to lose them in an early parity. So, there are financial consequences to the economic viability of the farm,” said Dr. Fabà. “But it's also very painful, so it’s a welfare compromise to the highest expression.”

Producers who must cull gilts or sows early are left with sunk costs in genetics, rearing, breeding and housing, without the benefit of long-term productivity.

Causes of lameness: osteochondrosis and hoof problems

As Fabà stressed, lameness is a symptom rather than a single disease, and the underlying causes can vary widely.

“Lameness is the symptom. It's like fever; any pathogen can cause it,” he explained. “With lameness, you can have a wound, you can have joint problems, you can have muscle pain, you can have an infection.”

In sows and gilts, however, two root causes dominate the diagnosis:

1. Osteochondrosis - a developmental disorder of the joint surface in which cartilage fails to mineralize properly into bone. The result is weakened bone and the cartilage above it and the joint areas can later collapse under stress.
2. Hoof-related problems - hoof lesions, on the other hand, stem from inflammation in the tissue where the hoof meets the flesh, a condition often linked to laminitis. When pigs struggle or kick against hard surfaces or fight with pen mates, these weakened tissues can sustain small wounds and damage that contribute to lameness.

Lameness learnings

Dr. Fabà said his research highlighted the fact that nutrition can indeed have an impact on lameness. However, the multifactorial nature of lameness, including genetics, environment and management, all intersect making lameness a very complicated problem to solve.

One of the more surprising insights from Dr. Fabà’s research is that osteochondrosis begins very early in life – long before clinical signs of lameness appear. He explained that the problem is at the surface of the joint, but the damage is below it. The process starts in young pigs as cartilage transitions and mineralizes into bone during early skeletal development.

“It starts about 10 weeks of age or earlier. If there’s structural or physical damage that doesn’t get resolved properly, then you have weakened areas. We see a lot of lesions in young pigs, but a lot of these legions heal,” he said. “During the growth development, the healing of lesions is key. Sixty percent of the sows, as gilts, will have osteochondrosis problems that will heal over time.”

By the time a gilt is introduced into the breeding herd, her skeleton may already carry the marks of whether she will be prone to lameness later in life. The findings underline the importance of early-life nutrition and management strategies that support bone health and healing and joint integrity.

Research shows that problems around hooves tend to stem from stress on some microminerals and nutrients during the gestation and lactation periods of sows. This comes from the high physical demands of going through one cycle after another.

“There's a higher risk of poorly irrigated areas like the hooves resulting in a lack of some nutrients which makes the tissue connection between the flesh and the hooves weaker and vulnerable,” he said. “There's also a higher risk of inflammatory markers creating inflammation there. When that union is weaker, there is a higher risk of a hit against a wall or just two sows fighting – that stress will impose lesions on older sows specifically.”

Trace minerals, sulfur and vitamins

Beyond calcium and phosphorus, a range of micronutrients and vitamins further influence bone integrity and tissue resilience.

• Sulfur - important component of collagen and the structure around the cartilage and tissue in between the fibers of calcium phosphate. During critical periods, demand for sulfur will be higher, like amid oxidative stress or immune stress.
• Zinc and copper - essential in the processes that build collagen and connective tissue. Their availability and needs will also be affected by oxidative stress and immune status.
• Manganese - plays a role in cartilage development.
• Vitamin D - regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
• Folic acid and antioxidants - help mitigate oxidative stress that can disrupt cartilage development.

Dr. Fabà cautioned that balancing these nutrients under real farm conditions is challenging, since the signs of deficiency may not always be obvious until lameness emerges.

Researchers continue to explore other dietary interventions that could support joint health. Drawing on parallels from human nutrition, Dr. Fabà noted that glucosamine, conjugated sulfates, and omega-3 fatty acids have shown some promise in developing cartilage and reducing inflammation. While the evidence in pigs remains mixed, these supplements represent potential avenues for innovation.

He also pointed out that rapid spikes in insulin, driven by high levels of simple carbohydrates in the diet, can impair bone and cartilage development. Such findings suggest that not only nutrient levels, but also the energy sources in pig diets, may influence the risk of lameness.

Still, Dr. Fabà stressed that no single supplement offers a silver bullet. The interaction between genetics, environment and nutrition means that any intervention must be part of a broader management strategy.

Research on growth rate and its impact on lameness

Beyond nutrition composition, the pace of gilt growth also shapes lameness risk. Published data has indicated that rapid growth can overload developing joints before they are strong enough to handle the animal’s weight.

Dr. Fabà described one of his own research projects, in which gilt diets were adjusted to slow growth.

“We did try to reduce growth by reducing lysine at 20%. We managed to slow down growth by about 8%. But my research didn't manage to reduce lameness, however others have achieved that,” he explained.

Diagnostics and identifying the root cause

When lameness does appear, identifying the root cause is often a challenge. Dr. Fabà explained that the first step is usually to review management practices and diet formulation. Outbreaks may be linked to pathogens such as mycoplasma, nutritional deficiencies or a “perfect storm” of stress factors.

He cautioned against relying solely on blood samples to diagnose, since laboratory markers may not always align with clinical signs.

“The best thing to do is to try to diagnose the reason, then you can think about sampling blood and lab diagnostics,” he said.

In some cases, genetic predispositions may also be at play, requiring long-term solutions through breeding rather than immediate interventions.

For producers, this highlights the importance of structured diagnostics – combining clinical observation with nutritional analysis and environmental assessments. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in resolving lameness, according to Dr. Fabà.

A look at the future: genetics, nutrition and precision feeding

Looking ahead, reducing the prevalence of lameness will require coordinated advances in genetics, nutrition and precision nutrition management. Genetic selection holds promise in reducing susceptibility to osteochondrosis, while nutritionists continue refining mineral ratios and supplementation strategies.

Precision feeding technologies are also emerging as tools to fine-tune nutrient delivery during critical stages of development. By monitoring growth rates and adjusting diets in real time, producers may be able to reduce the structural vulnerabilities that lead to lameness.

At the same time, sustainability remains a consideration. As Dr. Fabà pointed out, excessive mineral supplementation carries environmental risks through manure excretion. Balancing animal health, farm profitability and environmental stewardship will be key to the industry’s next steps.

Bottomline for farmers and nutritionists

Lameness in gilts and sows is a complex, multifaceted challenge with economic and welfare consequences. While there is no single solution, on-going research by experts such as Dr. Fabà underscores the importance of nutrition, management and early-life strategies in reducing the risk of lameness.

“The best approach is to diagnose why your sows are lame, and then try to think about solutions,” he advised, emphasizing the need for producers to look closely at root causes rather than quick fixes.

For farmers and nutritionists, the message is clear: preventing lameness is about an integrated strategy that begins early in a pig’s life, continues through careful diet formulation and housing design and remains flexible enough to adapt to farm-specific conditions.