Orthopedic Exam Flashcards
What are common causes of forelimb lameness?
Elbow dysplasia
OCD
Fractures
What are common causes of hindlimb lameness?
Hip dysplasia Pelvic fractures ACL rupture Patellar luxation Fractures
What are the steps to a lameness exam?
Signalment History Distant observation Gait Standing palpation Recumbent palpation Diagnostics
What are you looking for in a distant observation>
Body conformation
Decreased weight bearing while standing
Asymmetrical joint or swelling
Muscle atrophy
Joint alignment
What are you watching for in a walking/trotting exam?
Shortened stride Dragged toenails Toeing in or out Limb circumspection Hypermetria Stumbling/weakness Head bobbing
T/F: when examining limbs you should work distal to proximal
True
T/F: you should always examine the injured limb first then compare to the sound limb
False
Sound limb first
What are you checking for when doing your limb palpation?
CREPI
Crepitus Range of motion Effusion/swelling Pain Instability
What are the joint tests done on the hind limb and what are they testing for?
Ortolani sign — hip dysplasia
Anterior drawer — cranial cruciate rupture
Tibial compression — cranial cruciate rupture
How do you test the collateral ligaments at the stifle?
Varus/valgus stress test
T/F; cruciate disease is usually chronic
True
Degenerative disease, often bilateral
T/:F you should take radiographs first before palpating the injured limb to prevent stress on the animal
False
Always isolate the lameness first
Then take radiographs
What diagnostic test provides good cross sectional 3D imaging and is a good imaging a fragmented coronoid process?
CT
Which imaging modality provides good soft tissue contrast and allows you to evaluated soft tissue of joints or spinal cord compression?
MRI
What diagnostic test is good for evaluating soft tissue structures like tendons, ligaments, and muscles (eg bicipital tenosynovitis)?
Ultrasound
