Disorders of the Equine Hindlimb Flashcards
What are the 3 most common etiologies of cervical spine OA? What are the most common signs?
- trauma
- unnatural head carriage
- osteochondrosis
stiff neck +/- lame or neurologic
What are 3 options for treating cervical spine OA? What is prognosis like?
- inject facets with corticosteroids
- acupuncture
- mesotherapy
fair - requires lifelong maintenance, can progress and cause neurologic signs
What is mesotherapy? What is injected?
treatment for cervical spine OA that blocks pain through the dorsal nerve root through A-beta fibers
saline, local anesthetic, and/or steroids
What are the 2 most common causes of impinging dorsal spinous processes? What are 3 signs?
kissing spines - trauma or poor fitting saddle
- pain on palpation
- reduced performance
- behavior change
What are 3 options for treatment of impinging dorsal spinous processes?
- check and fix saddle fit
- inject area with corticosteroids
- surgical resection between processes to relieve impingement
What are the 4 most common causes of general back muscle pain in horses? What are 2 signs?
- underlying hind limb lameness*
- poor saddle fit
- poor riding
- trauma
pain on palpation + reduced performance
What 2 types of saddle fits can lead to general back pain?
- bridging - increased pressure on edges
- rocking - increased pressure on the center
What are 4 options for treating general back muscle pain? What is prognosis like?
- check saddle fit
- inject area with corticosteroids - mesotherapy
- acupuncture
- rest
good once underlying cause is addressed
What are the 4 most common signs of sacroiliac disease? What are 2 possible causes?
- arthritis
- subluxation of SI joint - “hunter’s bump”
- acute lameness
- crepitus on rectal palpation
trauma, inappropriate use
How is sacroiliac disease diagnosed? Treated? What is prognosis like?
clinical signs + U/S + hunter’s bump –> area too thick to radiograph
rest + inject joint with corticosteroids
good - typically requires ongoing mainenance
What are the 4 most common structures involved with hindlimb lameness?
- hock
- below hock
- stifle
- above stifle
What is the most common cause of metatarsal 2 and 4 (splint bones) fractures? How is it diagnosed?
kick injury –> from self or pasture mates (mares!)
- radiographs
- observe a non-healing wound with sequestration
How are metatarsal 2 and 4 fractures treated? What is prognosis like?
segmental or complete ostectomy - only MT4 can be completely removed en bloc; remove the distal part
excellent
When is internal fixation recommended with metatarsal (splint) bone fractures?
proximal fractures or MT2 –> main areas of weight bearing
- ostectomy not recommended!
What are 5 gait characteristics of hock lameness?
- drags toes - scuffed hoof
- fails to “track up” on lame leg
- lame leg adducts most
- rider field difference in connection
- reduced performance
What are 3 possible findings on joint palpation with hock lameness?
- often nothing
- bone spavin - hard swelling
- bog spavin - effusion
What are 5 diagnostics used for hock lameness?
- flexion tests
- intra-articular blocks
- radiographs
- nuclear scintigraphy
- CT (?)
What is the most common hind end lameness diagnosed in performance horses? What 2 joints are most commonly affected? Which 2 are less so?
hock OA
distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints - most distal, low motion
tibiotarsal and intertarsal - VERY lame, high motion
What are the 2 most common etiologies associated with hock OA? What are 2 signs? How are radiographs used?
athletic use and genetic (juvenil spavin)
- positive upper limb flexion
- BLOCKS to distal hock joints
can observe bone lysis and sclerosis, but does NOT correlate well with clinical lameness
What are 3 options for treating hock OA? What is prognosis like?
- intra-articular corticosteroids
- shoeing - squared toe
- facilitates ankyloses or arthrodesis - laser, ethyl alcohol, drilling
good - required ongoing maintenance during career
What is a bog spavin? What are 5 possible etiologies?
tibiotarsal effusion
- OCD
- synovitis - poor conformation, hard work
- OA - rare
- hemarthrosis - collateral ligament injury
- septic arthritis
How are bog spavins diagnosed?
- effusion in TT joint
- radiographs
- U/S?
- arthroscopy
How are bog spavins treated? What is prognosis like?
drain joint, inject corticosteroids (may cause more damage!), arthroscopy
good - usually cosmetic problem if underlying issue is addressed
What are the 4 most common locations of hock osteochondrosis?
distal intermediate ridge of tibia > lateral trochlear ridge > medial trochlear ridge > medial malleolus