Lameness examination

Question 1

Lameness is defined as

Answer 1

an abnormal stance or gait caused by either a structural or a functional disorder of the locomotor system.

Lameness is not a disease per se but a clinical sign. A manifestation of pain or mechnical restrictions.

Question 2

One of the most common medical issues in equine vet med?

Answer 2

lameness

Question 3

The forelimbs are considered to support approx. how many percent of the horse’s body weight?

Answer 3

60-65%

Question 4

Optimal diagnostic order for diagnosing lameness:

Answer 4

1. thorough history
2. static musculoskeletal evalulation
3. dynamic evaluation so horse moving
4. manipulative or flexion test
5. perimural anestesia to test
6. diagnostic imaging

Question 5

Classification of lameness into 5:

Answer 5

1. supporting limb lameness
2. swinging limb lameness
3. mixed lameness
4. primary or baseline lameness
5. compensatory or complementary lameness

Question 6

When should you perform a dynamic eval. on soft surfaces?

Answer 6

sole/frog (suspected foot problems) because otherwise this part of the foot does not typically contact hard surfaces

Question 7

down on sound means

Answer 7

in the forelimbs: the head is down when the sound limb is contacting the ground

Question 8

pelvic hike or rise means

Answer 8

upward movement of the pelvis on the lame limb; decreasing weight on the lame limb and shifting it to the sound

Question 9

lameness scale

Answer 9

0 being no lameness whatsoever
1 lameness not consistently apparent
2 lameness difficult to obsevre at a walk
3 lameness detectable at a trot
4 lameness obvious at a walk
5 being as lame as they come/ minimal weight bearing

Question 10

define valgus

Answer 10

Valgus alignment is known as knock knee syndrome. It shifts the load-bearing axis to the outside of the knee joint, forcing the knees to be positioned inward.

Question 11

define varus

Answer 11

Varus alignment, or bow leg syndrome, causes the load-bearing axis of the leg to shift to the inside, pushing the knees outward.

Question 12

term for a force that pushes in toward the center of your body.

Answer 12

valgus

Question 13

term for for pushing out, away from the center of your body.

Answer 13

varus

Question 14

What is a positive result on a flexion trot test?

Answer 14

lameness worsens

Question 15

What is a negative result on a flexion trot test?

Answer 15

no change in lameness

Question 16

What type of nerve block doe this image depict?

Answer 16

Palmar digital block

Question 17

What type of nerve block doe this image depict?

Answer 17

Abaxial sesamoid block

Question 18

Intrasynovial anesthesia is commonly performed where…?

Answer 18

above the carpus and tarsus where perineural anesthesia becomes more difficult.

Require surgical prep in contract to lower nerve blocks which aren’t intrasynovial, only subcutaneous.