Equine Orthopedics Flashcards
what background information should be gained when performing a lameness work up on a horse?
signalment use duration of ownership recent management previous medical problems
why is duration of ownership of horses valuable information?
shows owner awareness of history
what should be asked about horses recent management before a lameness workup?
work/exercise
feeding
shoeing ( barefoot / frequency of trims)
housing
why is useful to know about the use of a horse when diagnosing lameness?
possible differential diagnosis
owner expectations for recovery
what specific history is needed for a lameness work up?
limb or limbs affected
timing and nature of onset of signs
associated events or incidents
details of any areas of swelling, heat or pain
progression of signs since onset
treatments or management employed to date
current state of problem
what are the aims of the initial lameness workup?
decide if horse is lame or sound identify limb(s) affected score severity of lameness try to identify source / cause implement treatment plan
what are the steps involved in an initial lameness workup?
general physical exam focused exam of MSK system gait evaluation (walk, trot and lunge) flexion tests further exam of affected limb
what may be involved in a further lameness workup, following initial?
nerve or joint blocks
diagnostic imaging
what is involved in the general physical exam in a lameness workup?
general clinical exam (TPR) general body condition conformation of body, limbs and feet posture and weight bearing on the limbs skeletal and soft tissue symmetry localised swellings/thickening (from a distance)
what may posture and weight bearing on limbs tell you about lameness?
whether the horse is trying to reduce pain
how should skeletal and soft tissue symmetry be assessed?
stood square on a flat surface
what is involved in a detailed physical exam of the limbs?
feeling limbs, joints and soft tissue
inspection
palpation
manipulation
what are hoof testers used for?
applied to hooves in various places to put pressure on and assess response
what is done after the physical exam during a lameness workup?
gait evaluation
what do we need to establish from gait evaluation in a lameness workup?
is there gait abnormality is the abnormality due to lameness or something else e.g. neurological what degree of lameness is there which limbs are affected what exacerbates lameness
where should gait evaluation be performed?
different surfaces - soft and hard if facilities allow
what should the gait evaluation start with?
walk
why should all gait evaluation start with walk?
if obviously lame at walk should not trot due to further injury risk
what is involved in gait evaluation?
walk
trot in a straight line
lunging on soft and hard surfaces
what PPE is needed for trotting up?
hat gloves steel toe capped boots overalls gloves
where should horses be trotted up?
safe area
enclosed / contained
flat surface
care with surface if raining
when may trotting / walking up not be appropriate?
if horses is severely lame
what must be considered about the horse before trotting up?
temperament
restraint
how may horses be restrained for trotting up?
headcollar
bridle if needed
when should forelimb lameness be assessed?
a the horse is walking / trotting towards you
how is forelimb lameness identified?
head nod
head lifts UP when lame leg hits the ground
when is hindlimb lameness assessed?
as the horse is walking / trotting away from you
is forelimb or hindlimb lameness easier to identify?
forelimb
how is hindlimb lameness identified?
hip of the lame limb will rise and fall through a greater range of motion than the sound side
how will the hindquarters as a whole behave if a horse is lame?
pushed up by sound limb and sink during stance phase of lame limb
what else can be assessed during gait evaluation?
relative lengths of phases of stride
arc of foot flight
path of foot flight (medial or lateral)
foot placement
what is a lameness locator?
technology used to aid lameness evaluation
sensors are worn by the horse and computer program helps to identify asymmetry in the stride
where may lameness locator sensors be placed?
poll, hoof and rump usually
what is a lameness locator useful for?
helping clinician to identify and quantify subtle lameness
not a replacement for visual evaluation
what are the 2 main systems used to grade lameness?
out of 5
out of 10
what system of grading lameness is the most common?
out of 10
when reassessing and grading lameness who should assess?
clinician who assigned initial grade as there are individual differences
what are the uses of flexion (provocative) tests?
demonstrate occult lameness in a ‘sound’ horse
exacerbate mild lameness
aid localisation of lameness source
what is assessed in flexion tests?
response of the limb to flexion
what happens during a flexion test?
limb held in flexion for ~1 minute
horse trotted away as soon as the limb is released
how should the horse be standing for a flexion test?
ready to trot away (straight line, facing away)
what is assessed during a flexion test?
does lameness continue longer than would be expected after flexion (horse allowed a few lame strides)
what joints should be flexed during flexion tests?
attempt to only flex those you are testing (easier said than done!)
what are the limitations of flexion tests?
lack of specificity to site
inconsistency
lack of clear criteria for positive - what is the cut of of allowed lame strides
false positives and negatives
why is lunging of benefit in a lameness work up?
lameness often exacerbated on a circle
when lunging when is lameness particularly obvious?
when lame leg is on the inside due to increased weight bearing
what surfaces can lunging be performed on?
hard and soft ground
why is hard ground lunging useful?
usually exacerbates lameness more (although not always)
what PPE is needed for lunging?
hat
steel toe capped boots
gloves
overalls
what equipment is needed for lunging?
lunge line
lunge whip
bridle / cavesson
boots
where is lunging performed?
soft lunge - school or pen
hard lunge - hospitals will usually have designated flat area that is secure and has appropriate surface
what questions should be asked before lunging?
does the horse lunge well
when are further lameness workups needed?
established that horse is lame, how lame and what leg
what is involved in a further lameness work up?
physical exam of specific limb(s)
diagnostic analgesia
diagnostic imaging
what is involved in nerve ant joint blocks?
perineural, intrasynovial or local infiltration of LA into areas of the limb to progressively identify area of source of lameness
what LA is used for nerve and joint blocks?
Intra-epicaine (mepivicaine)
where should nerve blocks be started?
distally and work up
how should the area be prepped for nerve blocks?
clean area with chlorhex and spirit
can be clipped
how are nerve blocks usually performed?
unsedated as movement is assessed
safety is crucial
how should nerve blocks be performed?
LA injected
leave for 10 mins and then trot up to check for improvement
what does improvement of lameness after a nerve block indicate?
problem is located between nerve blocked areas
what are the 3 nerve blocks used in lameness workup?
palmar/plantar digital
abaxial sesamoid
low 4 point
what equipment is needed for nerve blocks?
23-25G, 5/8” needles
2ml syringes
identify the nerve block
medial and lateral palmar/planter digital
identify the nerve block
abaxial sesamoid (medial and lateral) location of digital pulse
identify the nerve block
low 4 point (medial and lateral - 4 needles)
where are joint blocks performed?
blocking into a joint (intrasynovial)
what is key when administering joint blocks?
sterility