Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Clinical Studies > Generic Lameness Exam > Flashcards

Generic Lameness Exam Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of lameness?

A

A clinical sign

- A manifestation of a functional/ structural disorder in one or more limbs that results in a gait abnormality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is lameness caused by?

A
  • Pain
  • Mechanical defect
  • Neurological defect
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the objectives of a lameness exam? To determine what 6 things…

A
  • Whether the animal the lame
  • Which limb(s) are involved
  • Site(s) of the problem
  • Specific cause
  • Appropriate treatment
  • Prognosis for recovery
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 7 steps of a lameness exam?

A
  1. History, signalment, animal purpose
  2. Inspection at rest
  3. Palpation of Musculoskeletal system
  4. Observation in motion
  5. Manipulations and flexion tests
  6. Diagnostic anaesthesia
  7. Diagnostic imaging
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is most lameness only visible?

A

When the animal is trotting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 5 different classifications of lameness?

A
  1. Supporting limb lameness
  2. Swinging limb lameness
  3. Mixed lameness
  4. Primary/ baseline lameness
  5. Compensatory lameness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is Supporting limb lameness?

A

Evident when the animal is weight bearing in the stride

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is Swinging limb lameness?

A

Evident when the limb is in motion (swing phase)

- cause of lameness is generally upper limb or axial skeleton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is mixed lameness?

A

A combination of both supporting and swinging limb lameness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is Primary/ baseline lameness?

A

Lameness that is present before any flexion tests or manipulations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Compensatory lameness?

A

Where pain in one limb causes uneven weight distribution on another limb
- may cause this limb to become lame

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What should you ask in the history of a lame animal?

A
  • Duration of lameness
  • Has the animal been rested or exercised since the onset? (got better or worse?)
  • How severe was the lameness when first observed?
  • Is the lameness improving, stable or worsening
  • Was the cause of lameness observed?
  • Does the horse warm out of the lameness?
  • Any treatment given?
  • When was the horse trimmed or shod last?
  • Any previous injuries?
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Do you do a physical exam when presented with a lame animal?

A

Not crucial

  • But is recommended
  • The entire musculoskeletal system should be thoroughly examined
  • Palpate!
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What should you do when doing a visual exam at rest?

A
  • Assess body and limb configuration
  • Alter postures and weight shifting
  • Observe each muscle group for symmetry
  • Observe feet for abnormalities
  • Assess foot from palmar/plantar aspect
  • Observe whether the coronary band is straight and parallel to the ground
  • Observe whether contralateral feet are the same size and shape
  • Examine the solar surface of the foot
  • Assess the shoe placement and the type of shoe
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What may abnormal conformation predispose animals to?

A

Particular injuries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the palpation for lameness…

A

Use a systematic approach and stick to it

  • Generally proximal to distal
  • Palpate: muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint pouches, tendon sheaths, bursas and bones
  • Feel for increased digital pulse and heat in the hoof
  • Heat, swelling and pain cardinal signs can be picked up on palpation
17
Q

What is the goal of a visual exam at exercise?

A

To identify limb(s) involved and the degree of lameness and/or incoordination

18
Q

How do you observe horses for lameness when exercising?

A
  • Walk them in a straight line
  • Run them in a straight line
  • Lunge in circles in both directions
19
Q

What do you look for in visualexams of lame horses?

A
  • Head nodding
  • Gait asymmetry
  • Changes in height of foot arc
  • Length of stride
  • Degree of fetlock extension
  • Foot placement
  • Action of shoulder musculature
  • Symmetry in gluteal rise and pelvis movement
20
Q

What does head nodding tell you about lameness?

A

Animal will drop their head on the sound limb and pick it up on lame limb
- this unloads the sorelimb

21
Q

What does the degree of fetlock extension tell you about a lame horse?

A

The fetlock drops less in lame limbs and won’t sink as much

22
Q

What does hip rise tell you about lameness?

A

The hip of a lame limb shows a “flick up” when the foot of the lame limb bears weight

23
Q

Describe the AAEP lameness grading system…

A 
0 = sound
1 = lameness hard to observe and not consistently apparent regardless of circumstances
2 = lameness difficult to observe at walk or trotting in a straight line, consistently apparent under certain circumstances
3 = Consistently observable at trot always
4 =  Marked lameness with obvious nodding, hitching or shortened stride
5 = Minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest
24
Q

What are the three reasons for the use of provocative tests…?

A
  • To demonstrate occult lameness in a horse that appears to be sound during initial evaluation
  • To exacerbate mild lameness
  • To aid in localisation of lameness
25
Q

What are the types of provocative tests used in horses?

A
  • Flexion
  • Digital compression
  • Hoof tester exam
  • Knife and wedge tests
26
Q

Describe the flexion provocative test…

A
  • Joints are held flexed for 30s - 1 min
  • Then the horse is trotted

Positive if horse appears lame, after it appeared sound on baseline or the horse appears lamer than baseline

Can be false positive or false negative

27
Q

Describe the digital compression provocative test…

A

Apply pressure over a tendon swelling or splint etc. for 30-60s
- Response assessed based on reaction of the animal to palpation and on increase in lameness

28
Q

Describe hoof tester provocative exam..

A

Use hoof testers to find areas of pain in the foot

29
Q

What is diagnostic analgesia used for?

A

To help localise the anatomical area causing lameness

  • Perineural (next to nerve)
  • Intrasynovial (joints, tendon sheaths and bursas)
  • Direct

Start distal, then move proximal until lameness disappears/ decreases markedly

30
Q

How long does it take for proximal and distal nerve blocks to take effect in perineural lameness?

A

Proximal: 20-30 minutes
Distal: 5-10 minutes
- can be tested by evaluating skin sensation distal to the block e,g, with a pen

31
Q

How do you know whether the nerve block makes a difference?

A

Compare the response to the response in the same region of the contralateral unblocked limb

> 70% improvement = lame area located

32
Q

When is it okay to skip some nerve blocks?

A

When you want to localise the pain to the lower or upper leg

  • Saves time, money and is safer
  • But no specific problem area is Identified
33
Q

When can intrasynovial blocks confirm clinical suspicions?

A

If the joint flexes positive and has effusion

34
Q

What diagnostic imaging can be used to diagnose lameness?

A
  • Radiography
  • Ultrasonography
  • Scintigraphy
  • CT
  • MRI

Clinical Studies (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions