2. lameness exam

Question 1

lameness is ___

Answer 1

a clinical sign
gait abnormality characterized by limping

from pain, inflammation or mechanical defect

Question 2

what is the leading cause of poor performance in all types of athletic horses

Answer 2

lameness

Question 3

baseline lameness

Answer 3

lameness is observed while walking or trot in hand BEFORE flexion or manipulatice test

Question 4

induced lameness

Answer 4

when a stress is applied to identify the lameness
such as walking in a circle, backing up

Question 5

which lameness is more common, forelimb or hindlimb

Answer 5

forelimb lameness is more common

Question 6

why is forelimb lameness more common than hindlimb lameness

Answer 6

because the center of gravity/balance is closer to the forelimbs

Question 7

thoroughbred racehorses present mainly with lameness in which legs

Answer 7

forelimb

Question 8

standardbred racehorses present with which lamenesss
(pulling of a cart)

Answer 8

equal lameness between

Question 9

at what level does 95% of lameness problems occur

Answer 9

at level of the carpus or distal to it

Question 10

Grading lameness
5/5

Answer 10

animal is not walking, minimal weight bearing

Question 11

grading lameness
4/5

Answer 11

gait abnormality, limp/lameness is obvious on a walk

Question 12

grading lameness
3/5

Answer 12

consistently obvious on a trot on a straight line in hand with NO stress test

Question 13

grading lameness
2/5

Answer 13

inconsistent lameness on a trot, but consistent with a stress(saddle, circling, hard surface)

Question 14

grading lameness
1/5

Answer 14

difficult to asses lameness, its inconsistent regardless of the stressor

Question 15

grading lameness
0/5

Answer 15

horse is sound
not seen in any circumstance

Question 16

What are components of the lameness exam

Answer 16

-medical history-ex career/job
-observe at a distance- symmetry, posture
-palpation of all limbs
-movement, baseline and induced lameness

Question 17

what are some limitations of a lameness exam

Answer 17

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

Question 18

list the 5 key observations needed to be a successful lameness diagnostician

Answer 18

1. head and neck nod
2. pelvic hike or drop
3. shortening of cranial phase of the stride
   4.drifting away from the lame limb
4. fetlock drop(sound leg with increasing weightbearing displays the drop or there could be suspensory ligament degeneration)

Question 19

whats a flex test, and what would be a positive result

what is the goal?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

what are some cons for the flex test

Answer 20

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