Diagnostic analgesia

Question 1

What are contra-indications for diagnostic analgesia?

Answer 1

Fracture
Cellulitis
Fractious horse

Question 2

What local anaesthetics can be used for diagnostic analgesia? Which has shorter onset and action?

Answer 2

Mepiviciane - shorter onset/action

Bupivicaine - longer onset/action

Question 3

If there is no response to diagnostic analgesia, what may that suggest?

Answer 3

Severe pain 
Lesion proximal to block
Neurological cause
Subchondral bone pain 
Inadequate technique

Question 4

What are the 4 common equine blocks? Which are done whilst weight bearing/non-bearing?

Answer 4

Abaxial sesamoid - non-weight bearing
Distal interphalanegal - weight bearing
Navicular bursa - weight bearing
Palmar digital nerve block
(Weight bearing blocks done midline, non-weight bearing lateral)

Question 5

How much local (mls) should be injected for each nerve block?

Answer 5

2mls

More needed for interphalangeal - 6mls

Question 6

The distal sesamoid bone is also known as…

Answer 6

navicular bone

Question 7

What structures does the abaxial nerve block desensitise?

Answer 7

Everything below fetlock

Question 8

The distal interphalangeal joint and navicular nerve blocks do NOT desensitise…

Answer 8

The heel

Question 9

What does the distal interphalangeal nerve block desensitise?

Answer 9

DIPJ joint
Navicular appartus
Toe region of sole

Question 10

What does the navicular bursa nerve block desensitise?

Answer 10

Navicular apparatus

Toe region of sole

Question 11

What does the palmar digital nerve block desensitise?

Answer 11

Palmar aspect of foot:
DIPJ joint
Navicular apparatus
Toe region of sole
Heel region of sole