Intro to Lameness

Question 1

Define SOUNDNESS

Answer 1

Soundness is regularity of the gait, displaying equal and regular stride length

Question 2

Define LAMENESS

Answer 2

Lameness is gait abnormality as a result of pain, loss of normal neuromuscular control or mechanical factors restricting normal movement. Many lameness issues are subclinical and can occur in soft or hard tissue.

Question 3

What are the classifications of lameness?

Answer 3

D - degenerative, developmental  
A - allergic, autoimmune 
M - metabolic, mechanical 
N - neoplastic (tumours), nutritional
I - infectious, inflammatory, immune mediated, ischemic, iatrogenic, idiopathic  
T - traumatic, toxic

Question 4

Define ISCHEMIA

Answer 4

Ischemia is an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.

Question 5

Define IATROGENESIS

Answer 5

Iatrogenesis relates to an illness caused by medical examination or treatment

Question 6

Define IDIOPATHIC

Answer 6

Idiopathic is relating to or denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown.

Question 7

What does a static assessment for lameness cover?

Answer 7

It will cover balance, symmetry, muscle pairs and relative length/bone angles. May also consider conformation or genetic issues.

Question 8

What does a dynamic assessment for lameness cover?

Answer 8

Will include straight lines, 15m circles, flexion tests and a view on soft ground, hard ground and ridden, with comparisons between.

Question 9

How do gait patterns help to identify lameness?

Answer 9

Stride patterns are looked at: stride, stance phase, swing phase, break over point.

Is there is a longer/shorter step, quieter/louder footfall, abduction/adduction, increased/decreased flexion?

Question 10

What does an evaluation of lameness on a circle cover?

Answer 10

Is the horse more lame with or without the rider?
What is the degree of fetlock extension?
What is the neck/back flexion?
Is there an exaggeration to the inside or outside?

Question 11

What is the AAEP Lameness Grading System?

Answer 11

American Association of Equine Practitioners
0 - lameness not present under any circumstances
1 - lameness difficult to see, not consistently apparent
2 - lameness difficult to observe at walk
3 - lameness consistently observable at trot at all times
4 - obvious lameness; marked nodding or shortened stride
5 - minimal weight bearing in motion and at rest

Question 12

What are some other techniques to identify lameness?

Answer 12

Nerve blocks, radiography, ultrasonography, arthroscopy, thermography, nuclear scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 13

What are common problems for base wide/narrow horses?

Answer 13

Base wide:

• narrow chests with toes out
• more weight on the medial aspect

Base narrow:

• have wide chests
• more weight on lateral aspect

Question 14

What is the location of most lameness?

Answer 14

Mostly in the foot or forelegs.
There are some breed/use dispositions:
- racehorses are likely to injure their digital flexor tendons, high motion joint and suffer stress fractures
- dressage horses are likely to injure hindlegs, hocks, stifle
- eventers break everywhere
- shires - OCD lesions of the hocks
- Shetland ponies - upward fixation of the patella