Diagnosing Lameness in the Horse

Question 1

You are trying to differentiate if a horse has Fibrotic Myopathy or Stringhalt. You notice exaggerated flexion of the limb, so you think it must be…

Answer 1

STRINGHALT!

(​will not see exaggerated flexion of the limb in Fibrotic Myopathy)

Question 2

A 5yo quarterhorse with allergy-induced dermatitis presents for lameness and demonstrates a shortened cranial phase, but no exaggerated flexion of the limb. What is your top differential?

Answer 2

Fibrotic Myopathy!

(mechanical lameness; muscles physically can’t work d/t overstretch)

Question 3

9 yo thoroughbred presents for lameness involving the right hind limb. You note exaggerated flexion of the limb, lands more heavily on the limb, but the stride length is not shortened. At a trot, you see this bilaterally. What’s going on?

Answer 3

Stringhalt

Question 4

How should we perform flexion tests in the distal forelimb?

Answer 4

Flex fetlock, pastern, & coffin joint for 30 sec…

normal young horses may display false positives

Question 5

How do we perform a flexion test in the proximal forelimb?

Answer 5

flex carpus, elbow, & shoulder for 60 sec…

Question 6

How do we perform flexion tests in the distal hindlimb?

Answer 6

same as the distal forelimb!
—> flex fetlock, pastern, & coffin joints for 30 sec

Question 7

How do we perform flexion tests in the proximal hindlimb?

Answer 7

Spavin Test (aka Hock Flexion)
**NOT** hock specific