Equine Musculoskeletal Part I

Question 1

when should you ultrasound an acute injury usually?

Answer 1

after 3-4 days

Question 2

which probe should you use for musculoskeletal injury?

Answer 2

highest frequency possible
linear probe

Question 3

what should you do for patient preparation prior to an ultrasound?

Answer 3

clip
wash
lube

Question 4

what should the fiber pattern be?

Answer 4

long, linear parallel fibers

Question 5

what tendons and ligaments are in the metacarpus?

Answer 5

superficial digital flexor tendon
deep digital flexor tendon
inferior check ligament
suspensory ligament: body and branches

Question 6

where do the suspensory branches in the metacarpus divide?

Answer 6

at level of buttons of splints

Question 7

how does the deep digital flexor tendon differ in the metatarsus from in the metacarpus?

Answer 7

courses medial relative to superficial digital flexor tendon in proximal region
has accessory/medial head not present in forelimb

Question 8

what is the most common metatarsal injury?

Answer 8

suspensory ligament

Question 9

who is superficial digital flexor tendonitis common in?

Answer 9

racing thoroughbreds and eventers

Question 10

what does a bandage bow look like on ultrasound?

Answer 10

fluid/edema surrounding tendon
little to no tendon injury

Question 11

why should you ultrasound the pastern when looking for tendonitis?

Answer 11

injury to deep digital flexor tendon may extend into pastern region

Question 12

what is inferior check ligament desmitis often missed with?

Answer 12

traditional palmar view
early may only affect lateral aspect of ligament

Question 13

how is the probe marker positioned in equines?

Answer 13

laterally or proximally

Question 14

when should you immediately scan an acute injury?

Answer 14

limb in abnormal position
will alter immediate plans for horse- show

Question 15

how long is each zone when documenting an injury?

Answer 15

4cm
3 zones, each has an A and B

Question 16

what can you see in the proximal metacarpus?

Answer 16

origin of suspensory ligament
carpal sheath surrounding the deep digital flexor tendon

Question 17

what is the mid metacarpus like?

Answer 17

SDFT begins to flatten
ICL starts to taper and wrap around DDFT

Question 18

what is the mid/distal metacarpus like?

Answer 18

SDFT is flattened
ICL inserts into DDFT
suspensory ligament branches

Question 19

what does the distal metacarpus look like?

Answer 19

SDFT is thinner than DDFT
sesamoid bones
intersesamoidean ligament

Question 20

how does the size of the suspensory ligament branches change as you move from proximal branch to insertion?

Answer 20

increases in size

Question 21

where do the suspensory branch insertions occur?

Answer 21

abaxial surface of sesamoid bones

Question 22

how is the ICL different in the metatarsus?

Answer 22

much smaller than in metacarpus

Question 23

how frequently is the inferior check ligament injured in the metacarpus and metatarsus?

Answer 23

metacarpus: relatively frequent, especially for jumpers
metatarsus: rarely