Orthopedic Exam Flashcards
what are the main sections involved in the ortho consultation?
signalment and presenting complaint
history
gait exam
physical exam
differential diagnosis
diagnostic plan
aids to diagnosis
arthrocentesis
what may signalment suggest about reasons for lameness?
breed tendencies
age (is there a genetic disorder)
sex (less crucial - roaming in cats)
why is it important to consider signalment?
can help to point towards potential causes / disease
considering these alongside lifestyle is also useful
what is the purpose of taking history?
may guide to problem and severity
what questions should be asked when taking history for an orthopedic patient?
medication
duration of lameness
speed of onset
progression of issue
is it continuous or intermittent
is the issue worsened by exercise or rest
effect of ground surface
which limbs
occupation
any concurrent disease
what conditions are often worse after rest?
OA
what conditions are often worse after exercise?
tendon / muscle
what should be assessed about a patients stance during an ortho exam?
symmetry of stance
even weight bearing on all limbs
angular deformity
define varus
foot aligned medially in relation to limb
define valgus
foot aligned laterally in relation to limb
what is pointing?
foot is on the floor but little weight is being put through it
what is involved in gait evaluation?
evaluation at walk (on way into consult if severe)
if possible then at trot, on circle and up stairs
use different surfaces
what is being looked for during gait evaluation?
stride length
head nodding
scuffing of nails
ataxia, paraparesis or paraplegia
how does head nodding indicate lameness?
nod on sound leg as weight is shifted across
head up on lame leg to reduce weight through that limb
during an ortho exam what must be considered?
is there potential for neuro issue rather than ortho or both!
when is bunny hopping often seen?
hip issues, weight is spread between both legs
what can be useful in gait evaluation?
videos of the animal at home
how may lameness be graded?
0-10 scale
what is lameness grade 0?
sound
what is lameness grade 1?
occasionally shifts weight
what is lameness grade 2?
mild lameness at slow trot, none while walking
what is lameness grade 3?
mild lameness while walking
what is lameness grade 4?
obvious lameness while walking, places foot when standing
what is lameness grade 5-8?
degree of severity between 4 and 9
what is lameness grade 9?
places toe when standing carries limb when trotting
what is lameness grade 10?
unable to weightbear
what is the issue with grading lameness?
very subjective, can be ambiguous
what must be performed on every patient regardless of presenting complaint?
full clinical exam to check for additional / more severe issues
what is involved in the orthopedic physical exam?
palpation of standing animal
joint palpation
limb palpation
neuro exam
cranial draw
tibial thrust
patella luxation
ortolani test
what should be palpated while the animal is standing during the ortho exam?
muscles
limbs
joints
spine
what are you looking for during palpation during the ortho exam?
asymmetry
swelling
muscle atrophy
joint enlargement
abnormal confirmation
what is the issue with comparing contralateral limbs/joints?
some disease is bilateral so may feel symmetrical but both are abnormal
what should be assessed when palpating joints?
SPIRM
what does SPIRM stand for?
swelling (effusion)
pain on movement
instability
range of motion
manipulation
what is being assessed about joint range of motion?
is it reduced
what is assessed about manipulation of joints?
any crepitus
what should be assessed about limbs during the ortho exam?
any swelling
muscle atrophy
pain
what is a key screening step in the ortho exam?
neuro exam
what should be involved in the screening neuro exam component of the ortho exam?
palpation of spine, neck and LS
conscious proprioception
spinal reflexes (withdrawal, patella and perineal)
what should be done if abnormalities are seen in the screening neuro exam component of the ortho exam?
full neuro exam needed
when is a cranial draw test usually performed?
under sedation or GA due to tension
what does the cranial draw test, test?
integrity of cranial cruciate ligament
what position does the patient need to be in for the cranial draw test?
lateral recumbancy
how is the cranial draw test performed?
hold femur and tibia
try to move tibia cranially with respect to the femur
repeat with stifle at different angles of flexion or extension
what is indicated by movement during cranial draw test?
rupture of cranial cruciate ligament
degree of draw can indicate degree of rupture
when can a tibial thrust test be performed?
standing or under sedation/GA
what is a tibial thrust test also known as?
tibial compression test
what is tested by tibial thrust test?
cranial cruciate ligament integrity
how is a tibial thrust test performed?
hand over distal femur
first finger on tibial tuberosity other hand on foot
keep stifle still whilst flexing the hock
what will indicate ligament rupture on a tibial thrust test?
tibial tuberosity will displace cranially if cranial cruciate ligament ruptured
what direction does the patella most commonly luxate in dogs and cats?
medial
what position should the stifle be in to assess patella luxation?
extended with quadriceps relaxed
how is patella luxation assessed?
shifting of patella medially and laterally
how can the patella be located?
work proximally from tibial tuberosity
what animals can the patella be difficult to locate in?
small dogs
what does the ortolani test assess?
hip laxity and so hip dysplasia