Equine Nerve Blocks

Question 1

How is a palmar digital nerve block typically performed and what structures are blocked?

Answer 1

• Lateral and medial palmar digital nerves - palpable between proximal sesamoid bones and proximal cartilages of foot
• 50-70% of palmar/plantar aspect of foot is desensitised including DIJ (expect for proximo-dorsal region)

Question 2

Name the structures that are shown in the image below and the nerve block that would result from blocking them?

Answer 2

Medial and lateral palmar digital nerves - associated with the palmar digital block

Question 3

How is a abaxial sesamoid nerve block performed and what structures are blocked?

Answer 3

• Medial and lateral palmar digital nerves - palpable over the abaxial surface of lateral and medial aspect of the proximal sesamoid bones
• Desensitises: skin of palmar pastern and distal dorsal pastern + foot + PIJ + partial desensitisation of the palmar fetlock

Question 4

Name the nerve block that is likely being performed in the image below (Red arrow):

Answer 4

• Abaxial surface of the medial and lateral aspect of the proximal sesamoid bones (red arrows)