Small Animal Orthopedic Exam Flashcards
what is white coat syndrome in terms of lameness?
lameness dissapears during exam
what conditions should gait examinations take place in?
secure footing
free from distractions
how can subtle ataxia be detected in a lameness exam?
walking in sharp circles or tough terrain
when the head lifts, the dog has lifted the ___ off the ground
lame
the carpus or tarsus will be more flexed on the ___ side of the animal (more weight bearing)
sound/unaffected
with hindlimb lameness, the head will ___ and forelimbs will come more underneath the body
drop
dog swings R hind, places feet with uncertainty in a circle, and have minimal toe dragging on R hind. Neuro or ortho?
neuro
a lameness exam should always begin with the ___ limb
unaffected
where can the lumbrosacral joint be palpated?
in rectum
what does PRICE stand for in terms of joints?
pain
range of motion
instability
crepitus
effusion
what are the steps to examining phalanges?
inspect equal weightbearing
observe & palpate nail beds for wound or mass
flex & extend each digit and phalangeal joints
palpate sesamoids
what are the steps to examining the carpus?
flex until pads touch caudal antebrachium (190º extension)
medial & lateral strain in extension
palpatye cranially for effusion
what are the steps to examining the elbow?
palpate for effusions between epicondyles & olecranon
palpate triceps muscles and insertion
flex cranial antebrachium toward cranial brachium
extend at 165º to supinate & protonate
what test is performed to test collateral stability in the elbow?
cambell’s test
how is cambell’s test performed?
flex elbow 90º and flex carpus 90º
what are the palpable landmarks of the shoulder?
scapular spine
acromion
greater tubercle
what are the steps to examining the shoulder?
flex 60º moving olecranon to dorsal midline
extend 165º
what test measures medial shoulder instability?
shoulder abduction test
how is the shoulder abduction test performed?
deep sedation or general anesthesia
push down on acromion & abduct humerus
measure angle between scapula & shoulder blade
>45º = instability
what test measures shoulder pain?
biceps test
how is the biceps test performed?
extend elbow then flex shoulder
stretch biceps tendon
observe for pain response
what are the palpable landmarks on the tarsus?
calcaneus
what are the steps to examining the tarsus?
palpate for effusion between calcaneous & malleoli
palpate between extensor tendons & achilles tendon
flex 45º and extend 165º, hyperextension helps find pain
apply varus & valgus strain to pes when extended & flexed
what are the palpable landmarks on the stifle?
lateral fabella
patella
fibular head
tibial tuberosity
what are the steps to examining the stifle?
check range of motion, flex calcaneus toward tuber ischii
extend 160º
palpate for effusion medial & lateral to patellar tendon
palpate patella with full ROM
rotate tibia internally & externally when flexed and extended
which test should be done first to check for a cranial cruciate ligament tear?
tibial crompression test
what is the secondary test for cranial cruciate ligament tears?
cranial drawer test
how is the tibial compression test performed?
stand caudal to dog with index finger over patella/tibial tuberosity
other hand holds pes caudally
flex tarsus w/out flexing stifle
tibial thrust = torn CCL
how is the tibial compression test performed?
one hand holds over patella/tibial tuberosity
other hand holds labella/tibial head
move hand in opposite ways to check for instability
cranial caudal movement = torn CCL
what are the palpable landmarks on the hip?
cranio-dorsal ilium
tuber ischia
greater trochanter
what are the steps to examining the hip?
flex stifle toward ilium
extend limb to be parallel with pelvis
abduct 90º & externally rotate 90º
which test checks for hip laxity/dysplasia?
ortolani test
how is ortolani’s test performed?
hold one hand over stifle at 90º
other hand dorsal to pelvis
adduct leg with force pushing dorsally
click when adducting leg = positive
what are the mechanics of ortolani’s test?
adduction of limb pushes femoral head out of acetabulum
dorsal force subluxates femoral head
abductiong of femur reduces femoral head - click
what are the limitations of ortolani’s test?
negativ test does not rule out hip dysplacia
what is a less reliable test for hip dysplasia?
bardens test
how is bardens test performed?
one hand hold leg mid thigh from cranial to caudal
lateral force appilied up femur and thigh
lateral shift of greater trochanter = positive
palpable lateral subluxation of femoral head from acetabulum = positive
