Lameness Examination in the Horse

Question 1

Components on the lameness exam

Answer 1

1. History (duration and severity)
2. Static Examination (conformation, symmetry, posture, manipulation, palpation)
3. Physical Exam
4. Hoof tester exam
5. Gait analysis exam
6. Selected examinations
7. Diagnostic
8. Imaging
9. Diagnostics
10. Management
11. Follow-up exam

Question 2

Hoof tester examination

Answer 2

Detecting areas of soreness/ pain:
Sole (abscess and laminitis)
Across the frog (medial hoof wall to lateral sulcus)
Heels (navicular syndrome)

Question 3

Walk

Answer 3

4 beat gate (one complete cycle)
LH, LF, RH, RF

Question 4

Trot

Answer 4

Best for examination (hard surface)
2 beat gate: RF, RH then LH, LF strike @ the same time

Question 5

Canter

Answer 5

3 beat: LH diagonal RH, LF and RF

Question 6

Gallop

Answer 6

4 beat gait (not natural)

Question 7

What is apart of the gait analysis examination

Answer 7

Gaits (walk, canter, trot)
Lameness grade scale
Baseline examination
Neurological exam

Question 8

What are the selected examinations?

Answer 8

Flexion tests
Lunge
Under saddle
Lameness locator

Question 9

Imaging for a lameness examination

Answer 9

Rads, U/S, scintigraphy, CT, MRI, thermography

Question 10

Grade 1 lameness exam

Answer 10

Difficult to observe, not constant

Question 11

Grade 2 lameness exam

Answer 11

Difficult to observe @ a walk or when trotting in a straight line
Consistency apparent under certain circumstances

Question 12

Grade 3 lameness exam

Answer 12

Lameness consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances

Question 13

Grade 4 lameness exam

Answer 13

Lameness is obvious @ a walk

Question 14

Grade 5 lameness exam

Answer 14

Lameness produces minimal weight bearing in motion and @ rest or a complete inability to move

Question 15

Right and left forelimb lameness

Answer 15

Head elevates when lame limb hits the ground

Question 16

Left hindlimb lameness

Answer 16

Pelvis has more vertical action on the lame leg side

Question 17

Right hindlimb lameness

Answer 17

Tuber coxae is dropped
Decreased anterior phase of stride

Question 18

Lower limb flexion tests

Answer 18

Fetlock flexed 30 seconds then horse trots off for evaluation of response to the flexion test

Question 19

Carpus flexion test

Answer 19

Carpus flexed 30 seconds then horse trots off for evaluation of response to the flexion test

Question 20

Spavin flexion tests

Answer 20

Hock and stifle flexed 60 seconds then horse trots off for evaluation of response to the flexion test

Question 21

Stifle flexion tests

Answer 21

Stifle flexed 60 seconds then horse trots off for evaluation of response to the flexion test

Question 22

Lunge (left forelimb lameness)

Answer 22

Exacerbates subtle lameness
Head elevates when left forelimb hits the ground

Question 23

Beats

Answer 23

Number of foot strikes in a single stride cycle

Question 24

Pace gait

Answer 24

Pace: lateral two beat gait
Gait: movement of lateral pairs of limbs simultaneously

Question 25

Lameness locator

Answer 25

Wireless motion analysis system that uses sensors to detect asymmetries in gait (not see by human eye)

Question 26

What does the lameness analysis include

Answer 26

Horse is lame or not
Amplitude of severity of lameness
Limbs involved
Part of motion cycle where peak pain in occuring