Lameness affects a significant proportion of breeding sows and is a major but often overlooked welfare problem in commercial pig production worldwide.
A lame sow is in chronic pain. She cannot walk comfortably to food and water, cannot adjust her position to relieve pressure on inflamed joints, and in a confined system, cannot rest on comfortable bedding. The intersection of concrete floors, restricted movement, and genetic selection for high reproductive output creates conditions where lameness is an almost inevitable consequence. Many farms lack systematic lameness scoring protocols, meaning mild-to-moderate lameness goes unrecognised and untreated for extended periods. Transitioning to group housing with rubber-matted or bedded floors, combined with regular gait scoring and prompt treatment of affected individuals, can significantly reduce the prevalence and severity of sow lameness.