Metacarpus/metatarsus and Carpus Flashcards
What 3 ligaments pass through the digital flexor tendon sheath?
DDFT
SDFT
ALDDFT (accessory ligament of the DDFT “check ligament”)
What is the lateral and medial “splint bones” called?
Lateral: Fourth metacarpal/tarsal bone
Medial: Second metacarpal/tarsal bone
How should condylar or diaphyseal fractures of the Mc/MT be managed?
When is euthanasia warranted?
Surgically
If displaced, open or comminuted = PTS
What is dorsal MC disease?
What horses does it occur in?
What can it lead to?
Painful periosteitis from excessive cyclic loading
Young, 2 year old racehorses
Can lead to dorsal stress fractures (3 year olds)
What is exostosis of the “splint” bones due to?
What horses is it often seen in?
What are the clinical signs
What is the preferred treatment?
Osteoma
Trauma resulting in periosteal bleed then new bone formation
Horses that “dish” in front
Pain, heat, swelling, leading to bony swelling
Conservative: rest, cold therapy, NSAIDs (avoid surgery)
What can cause fetlock sinking?
What are the 2 different presentations on ultrasound?
SDFT tendonitis
Focal anechoic lesions, or generalised changes
What are some treatment options for SDFT tendonitis?
Cold hosing NSAIDs Box rest Tendon splitting Injection of stem cells into tendon Early exercise Controlled exercise programme
What causes “notching” in the distal metacarpus?
PAL constriction (PAL syndrome)
What is the surgical treatment for PAL syndrome?
Use tenscopy
Remove damaged portions of tendons
PAL desmotomy to relieve compression
Name the carpal bones
Proximal: Radial, Ulnar, Intermediate
Distal: C2, C3, C4
What carpal disease are Arabs predisposed to?
Carpal OA of CMC
What is a carpal “chip” fracture?
What are the 2 causes?
Osteochondral fragmentation
- Fragmentation of a osteophyte (in OA)
- Fragmentation of dorsal articular margin (training, racing breeds)
What is stress maladaption?
Sclerosis from repetitive loading
What is the treatment for complete carpal bone fractures?
Surgical: internal fixation via arthroscopy
What does acute lameness with swelling over the PALMAR carpus indicate?
What is the treatment?
Accessory carpal bone fracture
Conservative (heal by fibrosis), surgical repair is difficult
How do you stabilise a carpal subluxation?
Full limb bandage + splints: Zone 3 external coaption
Where does the gastrocnemius insert onto?
Calcaneal tuberosity
Describe the tarsal bones
Calcaneus Proximal: Large talus TB Middle: Central TB Distal: 1st and 2nd (fused), 3rd TB 4th TB across middle and distal rows
Which two ligaments run dorsally along the tarsus?
What other ligaments are present in the tarsus?
Tibialis cranialis (medial branch) Peroneus tertius (lateral branch) Medial and lateral collateral ligaments
What is a “capped hock”?
Acquired superficial bursae
Between SDFT and skin
Which two bursae are present in the tarsus and what are they?
Gastrocnemius (gastrocnemius and tuber calcis)
Intertendinous (gastrocnemius and SDFT)
Both communicate
Where does OCD often occur in the tarsus?
What age does it usually present?
What is the main clinical sign?
Distal intermediate ridge of the tibia
Think DIRT!!!
Young: 6months - 3 years
Effusion of tarsocrural joint
How does tarsal bone collapse present?
What is the treatment and prognosis?
Incomplete ossification Dysmature/premature foal (Angular limb deformities) Supportive therapy until it matures Poor
What is “bone spavin”
What age of horses does it present in?
OA of the small tarsal joints (TMT, DIT)
Middle age/older
