Lameness in Horses Flashcards
What should be the order of a lameness exam workup?
History, exam from a distance, palpation/hoof testers, physical exam, movement exam, movement after manipulation, diagnostic analgesia, imaging, diagnosis, management and follow-up
What lameness conditions particularly affect young animals? Old?
Young: OCD/SBC
Older: OA
What should you assess during palpation for a lameness workup?
Heat, redness, swelling (edema vs effusion), pain response to digital pressure, static flexion/extension (range of motion, pain), crepitus, digital pulses and hoof temperature, symmetry (joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, neurovascular bundles, skin, etc ), surgical or traumatic scars
What specific sites should you assess while doing a hoof tester examination?
Avoid coronary band
- test at least 3 sites from the heel to toe medial and lateral
-test across frog and heels
In which lameness grade will there be marked nodding/hitching/short striding?
Grade 4
A lameness which is difficult to observe at walk/trot in straight line but consistent in circle, incline or on hard ground would be given what AAEP grade?
2
Consistently observable lameness is given what grade?
3
Are lameness tests more sensitive or specific at diagnosing lameness?
Neither-false positives or negatives are very possible
What are the numerous sources of pain during flexion tests?
tension on soft tissues (extension side), compression on soft tissues (flexion side), compression of articular surface (SC bone), increased intra-articular pressure, vascular constriction, stretching of nerves
