Musculoskeletal injuries & lameness -preventative management & rehabilitation

Question 1

The major reason for loss of training and competition days in performance horses is…?

Answer 1

Muscular skeletal injury and lameness

Question 2

List 6 predisposing causes

Answer 2

Conformational weakness
inadequate conditioning
inadequate warm up & cool down
tight & restrictive bandages
Inappropriate use of protective boots
uneven surfaces

Question 3

Tendons repair as wounds, which means they have 3 phases of healing. Name these phases

Answer 3

1. inflammation, 2. repair, 3. maturation

Question 4

What is the minimum time for tendon collagen type, cellularity and fibre crimp to return to normal?

Answer 4

6 months

Question 5

First aid for tendon injuries in first 48 hours?

Answer 5

Reduce inflammation
-ice or ice slurry 30mins 4x daily
bandaging
box rest
anti-inflammatory agents

Question 6

First aid for day 3 to 28 of tendon injury

Answer 6

pressure bandaging to counter lower leg swelling
stall rest till swelling and fluid accumulation is halted
in hand exercise after swelling ceases
box rest

Question 7

With swelling in joints, synovial fluid loses…?

Answer 7

lubricating properties

Question 8

Injections in joints are very risky, name some alternative therapies

Answer 8

massage
physical therapy
acupuncture