2. lameness exam Flashcards
lameness is ___
a clinical sign
gait abnormality characterized by limping
from pain, inflammation or mechanical defect
what is the leading cause of poor performance in all types of athletic horses
lameness
baseline lameness
lameness is observed while walking or trot in hand BEFORE flexion or manipulatice test
induced lameness
when a stress is applied to identify the lameness
such as walking in a circle, backing up
which lameness is more common, forelimb or hindlimb
forelimb lameness is more common
why is forelimb lameness more common than hindlimb lameness
because the center of gravity/balance is closer to the forelimbs
thoroughbred racehorses present mainly with lameness in which legs
forelimb
standardbred racehorses present with which lamenesss
(pulling of a cart)
equal lameness between
at what level does 95% of lameness problems occur
at level of the carpus or distal to it
Grading lameness
5/5
animal is not walking, minimal weight bearing
grading lameness
4/5
gait abnormality, limp/lameness is obvious on a walk
grading lameness
3/5
consistently obvious on a trot on a straight line in hand with NO stress test
grading lameness
2/5
inconsistent lameness on a trot, but consistent with a stress(saddle, circling, hard surface)
grading lameness
1/5
difficult to asses lameness, its inconsistent regardless of the stressor
grading lameness
0/5
horse is sound
not seen in any circumstance
What are components of the lameness exam
-medical history-ex career/job
-observe at a distance- symmetry, posture
-palpation of all limbs
-movement, baseline and induced lameness
what are some limitations of a lameness exam
rider-can make a horse who is lame look sound, or the opposite
the handler
behavior of the animal
location- barn? mud, incline, hard floor etc
list the 5 key observations needed to be a successful lameness diagnostician
- head and neck nod
- pelvic hike or drop
- shortening of cranial phase of the stride
4.drifting away from the lame limb - fetlock drop(sound leg with increasing weightbearing displays the drop or there could be suspensory ligament degeneration)
whats a flex test, and what would be a positive result
what is the goal?
flex test is when you hold the limb flex for a period of time, then you encourage the horse to throt, if they are lame after the flex test then this is a positive flex test
goal: stress a certain area and localize lameness
what are some cons for the flex test
its inconsistent, variable!
technique can be different from vet to vet
patient cooperation
time and strength of flex
hind limb-harder to separate certain flexures
