Proximal Forelimb Lameness In Horses Flashcards
MC3 diaphyseal fracture
Clean break - many configurations
Acute lameness & swelling
Minimal tissue/vasculature
Internal fixation required
Patient and prognosis for salter Harris fracture
MC3 - foals
Internal fixation - good prognosis
Splint bones
Accessory bones on either side of the cannon bone
function of MC2
Bears weight directly from C2
Function of MC4
Shares weight bearing load of C4 w MC3
Proximal splint bone fracture
Direct trauma
Internal fixation or removal
Good prognosis
Features of dorsal metacarpal disease
Bucked shins, common in racing horses, dorsal MC3 swelling/pain
Stress induced bone remodeling
Popped splints
Bench knee conformation
Interosseous ligament strain
Periostitis - common kick injury usually involving the suspensory ligament
Carpal anatomy
3 joints - radiocarpal, Intercarpal, carpometacarpal
7 bones - accessory, ulnar carpal, intermediate carpal, radial carpal, C1-4
Common injury to the carpal in race horses
Chip fracture, secondary injury due to stress on subchondral bone
Arthroscopy removal
DJD is a common result if untreated
Common in fetlock & carpus
What view should be taken to diagnose a C3 slab fracture
Skyline - to identify location & depth of fracture
Occurs in racehorses due to stress remodeling
Reconstruction or stabilization in necessary
Carpal canal syndrome
Sheath swelling
DDF tendon Lesion
osteochrondroma = inflammation is secondary to DDF and causes irritation
Features of shoulder fractures
Acute lameness
Trauma/crepitius
Painful - resists palpation/flexion
Surgical options
DJD and lameness if not treated
Features of shoulder arthritis
Lameness
Insidious onset
Club feet
Arthroscopy for debridement
Poor prognosis for joints
Danger of transporting a horse w radial fracture
Movement / instability from travel could displace the joint/fracture or make an incomplete become a complete fracture. Both have poor prognosis
Causes for dropped elbow stance
Radial nerve paralysis - neurological dysfunction
Olecrannon fracture / proximal ulnar fracture
Humerus fracture - pain misuse from radial nerve
Features of ulnar fracture
Common kick injury
Acute lameness
Non weight bearing, cannot fuse joint
Full bandage w caudal splint to transfer weight - ulnar joint is under tension not compression
Which type of ulnar fracture has the best prognosis
Non displaced and non articular
Functionality of Sweeney
Damage to suprascapular nerve causes atrophy to suprascapular and infrascapular muscles
Loss of stability in shoulder, only joint that relies on surrounding muscle for stability instead of ligs/tendons
Prognosis for Sweeney
Nerve can regrow but muscles may never recover and always appear atrophy
Growth can take 6w-6m
Surgical decompression is an option but not necessary
