Equine Hindlimb - Applied Anatomy

Question 1

Describe “upward fixation of the patella” in horses

Answer 1

involuntary catching of the patella on the medial ridge of the femoral trochlea

Question 2

How is upward fixation of the patella treated?

Answer 2

via medial patella desmotomy: surgical cutting of the medial patellar ligament

Question 3

What are the locations of arthocentesis for the lateral femorotibial joint capsule in the horse?

Answer 3

caudal to lateral patellar ligament or between long digital extensor tendon and lateral collateral ligament

Question 4

What are the locations of arthocentesis for the medial femorotibial joint capsule in the horse?

Answer 4

between the medial patellar ligament and medial collateral ligament

Question 5

What are the locations of arthocentesis for the femoropatellar joint capsule in the horse?

Answer 5

caudal to the lateral patellar ligament or between the patellar ligaments on the cranial surface

Question 6

Describe Bog Spavin

Answer 6

dorsal pouch of the tarsal joint bulges out due to synovial fluid accumulation

Question 7

Where are injections into the tarsal joints performed?

Answer 7

into the dorsal pouch for both the tarsocural joint and proximal intertarsal joint

Question 8

Describe curb in the equine species

Answer 8

inflammation of the long plantar ligament - creates a thickening curve/convexity on the plantoarlateral aspect of the tarsometatarsal region

Question 9

What is capped hock in the equine species?

Answer 9

an aquired bursa in the hock due to trauma

Question 10

Which muscle of the equine hindlimb is important for rearing?

Answer 10

middle gluteal muscle - blends with longissimus lumborum muscle

Question 11

What results from damage to the femoral nerve in the equine species?

Answer 11

inability to extend the stifle and bear weight

Question 12

What is the condition called that causes inflammation of the trochanteric bursa?

Answer 12

trochanteric buritis - whorlbone lameness

Question 13

What can cause the rupture of the peroneus terious muscle in the horse?

Answer 13

rupture occurs secondary to hyper or overextension of the hock

Question 14

Clinical signs of a ruptured peroneus tertious

Answer 14

hock doesn’t flex as hindlimb moves forward
distal limb hangs limp
flexion of stifle occurs indenedently of hock

Question 15

How is a ruptured peroneus tertious diagnosed?

Answer 15

manual extension of the hock and stimulaneous flexion of stifle - abnormal

Question 16

What can be observed if the peroneous tertious is ruptered in respect to the reciprocal apparatus?

Answer 16

abnormal, jerky flexing of the hock
laxity of the common calcaneal tendon

Question 17

What can be observed if both the peroneous and superficial digital flexor are ruptured in respect to the reciprocal apparatus?

Answer 17

hock drops to the ground

Question 18

What can be observed when there is damage to the femoral nerve in the equine hindlimb?

Answer 18

paralysis of the quadriceps
inability to flex the stifle and bear weight
atrophy of quadriceps
absence of patella reflec
loss of sensation to medial leg

Question 19

What can be observed when there is damage to the obturator nerve in the equine hindlimb?

Answer 19

partial/complete inability to adduct the limb

Question 20

How can damage to the obturator nerve occur in horses?

Answer 20

can be compressed during pelvic fracture or foaling

Question 21

What factors influence the severity of the clinical signs associated with obturator nerve damage in the horse?

Answer 21

weight, terrain and extent of the lesion

Question 22

What can be observed in the case of common peroneal nerve damage in the horse?

Answer 22

pelvic limb lameness
superficial sensation is reduced or absent
hock = overextended
digits = knuckled - flexed
shorter stride

Question 23

Which nerve of the equine hindlimb can be palpated cranial to the common calcaneal tendon, above the hock?

Answer 23

tibial nerve

Question 24

What can be observed if there is damage to the tibial nerve in the horse?

Answer 24

pelvic limb lameness
superficial sensation reduced/absent
overextension of the digit
overflexion of the hock
atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle

Question 25

What is laminitis in horses?

Answer 25

inflammation, separation betyween the sensitive and insensitive laminae of the hoof

Question 26

What are the clinical signs of laminitis in horses?

Answer 26

foot tenderness
inability to walk
increased digital pulses
increased temperature of hooves

Question 27

What is the term used to describe traumatic bruising of the equine sole?

Answer 27

corns

Question 28

What is a consideration when shoeing horses?

Answer 28

the white line of the hoof - point of weakness
direct the nail towards the wall of the hoof