Lameness

Question 1

walk, from front left to right

Answer 1

42

31

Question 2

trot

Answer 2

12

21

Question 3

canter left lead

Answer 3

32

21

Question 4

canter right lead

Answer 4

23

12

Question 5

gallop

Answer 5

43 or 34

21 12

Question 6

pace

Answer 6

21

21

Question 7

lameness exam

Answer 7

• supporting limb=weight bearing

- swinging limb=joint problem

Question 8

lameness exam questions

Answer 8

• history
• visualize at rest or from distance
• observe horse move
• examine legs and body

Question 9

history

Answer 9

• of lameness
• recent change in work load
• pain meds
• cahnges when warmed up

Question 10

visualize at distance

Answer 10

• body type and condition
• fonformation
• abnormal stance
• muscle atrophy

Question 11

observe movement

Answer 11

• circle accentuates lameness on one side

- head bob up with lame leg bearing weight, down with support leg; works for front legs

Question 12

nod with left front=

Answer 12

right front or hind lame

Question 13

nod with right front=

Answer 13

left front or hind lame

Question 14

hind legs

Answer 14

pelvis rises as lame foot hits ground

-severe hind lame causes nod

Question 15

other signs

Answer 15

• short stride
• joint flexion angle
• dog tracking/foot out sideways

Question 16

dogtracking

Answer 16

43
12
1 is the lame leg

Question 17

complications in mild lameness

Answer 17

• no head nodding
• asymmetrical gait
• listen for unequal rhythm of hooves hitting or hitting harder

Question 18

bilateral complications

Answer 18

front nodding cancels it out

-may move oddly and have shorter strider

Question 19

physical exam

Answer 19

• hoof tester for pain
• hoof shape, look for wear
• palpate legs for abnormal swelling, pain, heat, thick tendons, odd range of motion
• diff in muscle size
• palpate back, neck, pain?

Question 20

other tests

Answer 20

• flexion tests
• diagnostic anesthesia/nerve blocks
• radiology
• ultrasound
• MRI
• CT scane

Question 21

flexion tests

Answer 21

hold joints for 30s-2min

• let horse trot off
• if lame will be more pronounced
• helps narrow down location but not precise

Question 22

diagnostic anesthesia

Answer 22

-localizes lameness
- lidocaine nerve block starting low and working up, when lame goes away cause is below block
NOTE: associated soft tissue also desensitized, so does not definite prove exact structure causing lameness, give general area
-bilateral lameness will expose other leg

Question 23

radiology

Answer 23

identifies lameness due to bone lesions, fractures, arthritis, bone cysts

Question 24

ultrasound

Answer 24

tendon and ligaments commonly injiured

-considered gold standard for eval of tendons and ligaments

Question 25

nuclear scintigrapy

Answer 25

bone scan via injection of radioisotopes in blood

-sceen to find increased metabolic activity

Question 26

mri and ct scane

Answer 26

view both soft and bone tissue