Lecture 1 1/23/25 Flashcards
Why is it important to consider age in an orthopedic exam?
-fractures, joint luxations, and soft tissue injuries can occur at any age
-acute events in older animals may have underlying cause(s)
-some conditions are acute while others are progressive
Which conditions are most commonly diagnosed in animals under 12 months of age?
-developmental orthopedic disorders
-hip and elbow dysplasia
-osteochondritis dissecans
-panosteitis
-hypertrophic osteodystrophy
-luxating patella
-Legg Calve Perthes disease/avascular necrosis of femoral head
-angular limb deformities
Which conditions are most commonly diagnosed in animals older than 12 months of age?
-osteoarthritis
-neoplasia
-soft tissue conditions
How does spay/neuter impact orthopedic disease?
-early spay/neuter can increase risk of orthopedic conditions
-spayed/neutered animals have a higher risk of obesity and OA
Which orthopedic disease is more common in female animals?
cranial cruciate ligament disease
Which orthopedic diseases are more common in male animals?
-osteochondritis dissecans
-fragmented coronoid process
-ununited anconeal process
Which conditions are more common in large and giant breeds?
-hip and elbow dysplasia
-panosteitis
-osteochondritis dissecans
-cranial cruciate ligament disease
-primary bone tumors
Which conditions are more common in toy and miniature breeds?
-luxating patella
-Legg Calve Perthes disease
Which diseases are common in labrador/golden retrievers, rottweilers, newfoundlands, and bernese mountain dogs?
-hip dysplasia
-elbow dysplasia
-cranial cruciate lig. disease
-panosteitis
-osteochondritis dissecans
Which diseases are common in german shepherd dogs?
-hip dysplasia
-ununited anconeal process
-panosteitis
Which diseases are common in toy and miniature poodles?
-medial patella luxation
-Legg-Calve-Perthes
Which diseases are common in west highland white terriers?
-luxating patella
-craniomandibular osteopathy
Which disease is common in chihuahuas?
medial patella luxation
Which aspects of the history are important to the orthopedic exam?
-general medical history
-travel history
-past diagnoses/treatments
-past trauma and surgery
-current meds; including supplements and OTC
-complementary/alternative treatments
-diet
-treatment(s) that have helped
-affected limb(s)
-owner’s impression of problem
-when problem started
-changes in problem
-changes in exercise, rest, weather, etc.
-patient’s “job”
-littermate problems
-patient’s environment
-other pets
-goals for patient
What are the initial observations made during an orthopedic event?
-observe at rest and at several gaits
-observe while rising
-observe for weakness, limb trembling, and limb asymmetry
-assess for muscle atrophy, head/neck asymmetry, limb position, and conformation
What are the characteristics of the sit test?
-dogs with rear limb lameness may sit with unaffected limb under the body
-dogs may use unaffected limb to rise
-dogs may struggle to rise if they have bilateral involvement
What should be observed regarding a pet’s stance?
-tendency to shift weight to sound limbs
-standing with affected limb eccentric to body
-standing with sound limb centrally under center of gravity
-observe foot pads and degree of contact with ground
What are the components of observing a gait?
-observe at a distance
-evaluate at a walk and trot
-have pet move towards and away form the examiner
-evaluate from the side
-film gate and play in slow motion
-observe on a treadmill
Which gates are observed during an orthopedic exam?
-walk
-trot
-pace
What are the characteristics of a walk gait?
-four beat
-slow
-three legs support body at all times
-each foots lifts from ground one at a time
-pattern of footfall is RH, RF, LH, LF
What are the characteristics of a trot gait?
-rhythmic two beat diagonal
-feet at diagonally opposite ends of body strike ground together
-right hind moves with left front, left hind moves with right front
-slight period of suspension
-imprint of hind foot should cover tracks left by front foot
What are the characteristics of a pace gait?
-lateral two beat gate
-legs on each side of body move back and forth as a pair
-causes rolling motion to the body
-misinterpreted as stiffness or lameness
-reduces flexion of joints; common in dogs with chronic lameness
What is indicated by a head bob in which the head goes up as a forelimb strikes the ground?
lameness in the striking forelimb; 20-30% weightbearing difference
What is indicated by a head bob in which the head goes down as a hind limb strikes the ground?
lameness in the striking hind limb; 10-20% weightbearing difference
What are the characteristics of spinal motion?
-dogs with rear limb lameness flex the back toward lame limb
-back connects front limbs to hind limbs
-pulling the pelvis forward protects from painful extension in affected hips and/or stifles
What are the primary things to look for on a gait evaluation?
-walking with normal limb centered under body and lame limb carried further laterally
-avoiding full weight bearing
What are the characteristics of stride length?
-shortened stride length can indicate forelimb lameness
-failure to fully extend forelimb and reach forward
-forelimb lameness is frequently bilateral
-can be seen with multiple arthritic joints and/or limbs
