Common equine limb/lameness

Question 1

Carpal Hygroma

Answer 1

Fluid filled swelling at CARPUS, usually seen from repeated trauma –> local bursitis

Tx: surgical exploration and drain placement

Question 2

Thoroughpin

Answer 2

Effusion of the Tarsal sheath ( sheath of the DDF) * at the level of the high hock joint near the plantar tibia

Question 3

Hock joint OCD lesion ( most common )

Answer 3

distal intermediate ridge of tibia

Question 4

BoG Spavin

Answer 4

• swelling of Tibia Tarsal joints
• often no clinical abnormality detected
• no tx needed

Question 5

BoNe Spavin

Answer 5

• -> Lameness
• OA of distal inter tarsal joint +/or tarsometatarsal joint
• shortened forward flight of hoof with decreased hock action
• tend to Drag the toe
• Tx: Arthrodesis of joint

Question 6

Splints

Answer 6

Periosteum proliferation of interosseous ligament ( between MC/MT 3 and MC/MT 2)

tx: rest and nsaids

Question 7

Osselets

Answer 7

inflammation of periosteum of Dorsal Distal MC/T3 ( epiphyseal surface) and fetlock (metacarpal/tarsal) joint

• tx: rest and nsaids and intra-articular injections ( hyaluronate / GAGs )

Question 8

High Ringbone

Answer 8

Periosteal proliferation ( bony growth) in PASTERN joint

Question 9

Low Ringbone

Answer 9

Periosteal proliferation ( bony growth ) in COFFIN joint

Question 10

Scratches “ grease heel/ dew poisoning/ mud fever”

Answer 10

• risk factors - wet/ muddy environment

- chronic seborrheic dermatitis of plantar/palmar pastern

Question 11

Sidebone

Answer 11

ossification of the ALAR Cartilage of the coffin bone (P3)

Question 12

Quittor

Answer 12

Chronic infection of ALAR / collateral cartilage of the coffin bone

Question 13

Seedy Toe “ hollow wall”

Answer 13

inner surface is crumbly, +/- cavity/ hollow

Question 14

Stringhalt

Answer 14

** Sweet Pea (Lathyrs) Mycotoxin **

• Myoclonic disease of one or both pelvic limbs
• Spasmodic HyperFLEXION of Hock - “ kicking belly”

-Tx: lateral digital extensor tenectomy

Question 15

Fibrotic Myopathy

Answer 15

• Shortened cranial ( forward ) phase to stride
• Lengthened caudal ( backward) phase
• mechanical restriction of fibrotic/ scarred semitendinosus + Semimembranosus ( hamstrings)
• Rear foot jerks caudally just prior to ground contact “ slaps down” on ground

Question 16

Buttress foot

Answer 16

Pyramidal Disease / Extensor Process disease

• secondary to periostitis of EXTENSOR PROCESS OF P3 –> thicken/swelling coronary band
• wall of the hoof protrudes at the toe

Question 17

Flexor Disease:
CLUB FOOT

** CLUB –> Dance –> DDF **

Answer 17

** Flexion of coffin and Pastern **

• DDFT is too tight –> steep hoof wall and short toe
• Tx: - Put more weight on DDF
  - Inferior/ distal check ligament desmotomy (aka accessory ligament of DDFT)
  - DDFT tenetomy ( no athletic performance)

Question 18

Flexor Disease:
BOWED TENDON

** BOWed –> Silky bow –> SDF **

Answer 18

• • Hyperflexion/ Upright fetlock **
• SDFT is too tight
• Tx: Put more weight on SDF
  
  • elevate the heel and extend the toe
  • superior / proximal check ligament desmotomy

Question 19

Proximal/superior check desmotomy relieves:

Answer 19

SDF contracture

–> Bowed tendon

–> @ Fetlock joint

Question 20

Distal/ inferior check desmotomy relieves:

Answer 20

DDF contracture

–> Club Foot

–> @ Pastern, coffin joint

Question 21

Weight bearing with Dropped hock

Answer 21

Gastrocnemius rupture

Question 22

Non-weight bearing with Dropped hock

Answer 22

Achilles tendon rupture

Question 23

tendon injuries take how long to heal

Answer 23

8 - 11 months to completely heal

Question 24

Suspensory ligament desmitis

Answer 24

7-9 months to heal

• associated with:
  
  • apical fx of proximal sesamoid bones
  • avulsion fx of palmar aspect of MC3
  • distal third of small MC bone fx

Question 25

Navicular disease

Answer 25

- painful on hard surface - narrow heels - hoof tester elicits pain in posterior 3rd of foot tx: - palmar digital nerve block will help - shoe that elevates the heel --> elevated bar shoe

Question 26

MC location of Chip Fracture

Answer 26

Radial carpal bone and Radius

Question 27

MC location of slab fracture

Answer 27

3rd Carpal bone

Question 28

Osteochondritis dissecans

Answer 28

- developmental disorder of articular cartilage - multifactorial : (rapid growth rate, high energy diets, mineral imbalance - low copper, high zinc , genetics, large size , and articular trauma CS - effusion of affected joints and potentially lameness or neuro signs ( if cervical lesion) Management: conservative - restrict exercise , reduce feed intake, correct mineral imbalance surgical - more advanced lesions

Question 29

Ddx for dropped elbow and flexed carpus

Answer 29

- ulna/olecranon fx - humeral fx - radial nerve paralysis

Question 30

Windgalls

Answer 30

fluid filled swellings around the MC- or MT-phalangeal joints

Question 31

Dropped fetlock with toe lifted off ground

Answer 31

significant injury to the deep digital flexor tendon --> it inserts on the palmar/plantar surface of the third phalanx

Question 32

dropped fetlock with no change in toe position

Answer 32

injury to superficial digital flexor --> because it inserts on the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx and proximal aspect of the second phalanx

Question 33

dropped fetlock with the toe on the ground

Answer 33

damage to both branches of suspensory ligament

Question 34

Bearing weight on dorm of hoof and swinging digit forward while advancing it when extensor function is lost

Answer 34

disrupted long and lateral digital extensor tendons ** locomotion returns to normal after healing of wound occurs

Question 35

Most fractures of distal phalanx and those that are not articular can be treated :

Answer 35

conservatively , using stabilization with a bar shoe and rest

Question 36

Articular fractures ( esp in older patients ) treated:

Answer 36

surgically , involving internal fixation

Question 37

Palmar digital neurectomy

Answer 37

only used in chronic fractures that are non-responsive to treatment

Question 38

penetrating wound within the central frog / sulci ---> need what

Answer 38

rads, evaluation of involvement of the underlying synovial structures

Question 39

Angular limb deformity | valgus/varus

Answer 39

- periosteal stripping --> encourages growth on concave side (curves inward) - temporary transphyseal bridging -> slows growth on the convex side (curves outward) ** prognosis is good if addressed prior to physical plate closure