Small Animal Orthopedic Exam

Question 1

what is white coat syndrome in terms of lameness?

Answer 1

lameness dissapears during exam

Question 2

what conditions should gait examinations take place in?

Answer 2

secure footing
free from distractions

Question 3

how can subtle ataxia be detected in a lameness exam?

Answer 3

walking in sharp circles or tough terrain

Question 4

when the head lifts, the dog has lifted the ___ off the ground

Answer 4

lame

Question 5

the carpus or tarsus will be more flexed on the ___ side of the animal (more weight bearing)

Answer 5

sound/unaffected

Question 6

with hindlimb lameness, the head will ___ and forelimbs will come more underneath the body

Answer 6

drop

Question 7

dog swings R hind, places feet with uncertainty in a circle, and have minimal toe dragging on R hind. Neuro or ortho?

Answer 7

neuro

Question 8

a lameness exam should always begin with the ___ limb

Answer 8

unaffected

Question 9

where can the lumbrosacral joint be palpated?

Answer 9

in rectum

Question 10

what does PRICE stand for in terms of joints?

Answer 10

pain
range of motion
instability
crepitus
effusion

Question 11

what are the steps to examining phalanges?

Answer 11

inspect equal weightbearing
observe & palpate nail beds for wound or mass
flex & extend each digit and phalangeal joints
palpate sesamoids

Question 12

what are the steps to examining the carpus?

Answer 12

flex until pads touch caudal antebrachium (190º extension)
medial & lateral strain in extension
palpatye cranially for effusion

Question 13

what are the steps to examining the elbow?

Answer 13

palpate for effusions between epicondyles & olecranon
palpate triceps muscles and insertion
flex cranial antebrachium toward cranial brachium
extend at 165º to supinate & protonate

Question 14

what test is performed to test collateral stability in the elbow?

Answer 14

cambell’s test

Question 15

how is cambell’s test performed?

Answer 15

flex elbow 90º and flex carpus 90º

Question 16

what are the palpable landmarks of the shoulder?

Answer 16

scapular spine
acromion
greater tubercle

Question 17

what are the steps to examining the shoulder?

Answer 17

flex 60º moving olecranon to dorsal midline
extend 165º

Question 18

what test measures medial shoulder instability?

Answer 18

shoulder abduction test

Question 19

how is the shoulder abduction test performed?

Answer 19

deep sedation or general anesthesia
push down on acromion & abduct humerus
measure angle between scapula & shoulder blade
>45º = instability

Question 20

what test measures shoulder pain?

Answer 20

biceps test

Question 21

how is the biceps test performed?

Answer 21

extend elbow then flex shoulder
stretch biceps tendon
observe for pain response

Question 22

what are the palpable landmarks on the tarsus?

Answer 22

calcaneus

Question 23

what are the steps to examining the tarsus?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

what are the palpable landmarks on the stifle?

Answer 24

lateral fabella
patella
fibular head
tibial tuberosity

Question 25

what are the steps to examining the stifle?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

which test should be done first to check for a cranial cruciate ligament tear?

Answer 26

tibial crompression test

Question 27

what is the secondary test for cranial cruciate ligament tears?

Answer 27

cranial drawer test

Question 28

how is the tibial compression test performed?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

how is the tibial compression test performed?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what are the palpable landmarks on the hip?

Answer 30

cranio-dorsal ilium
tuber ischia
greater trochanter

Question 31

what are the steps to examining the hip?

Answer 31

flex stifle toward ilium
extend limb to be parallel with pelvis
abduct 90º & externally rotate 90º

Question 32

which test checks for hip laxity/dysplasia?

Answer 32

ortolani test

Question 33

how is ortolani’s test performed?

Answer 33

hold one hand over stifle at 90º
other hand dorsal to pelvis
adduct leg with force pushing dorsally
click when adducting leg = positive

Question 34

what are the mechanics of ortolani’s test?

Answer 34

adduction of limb pushes femoral head out of acetabulum
dorsal force subluxates femoral head
abductiong of femur reduces femoral head - click

Question 35

what are the limitations of ortolani’s test?

Answer 35

negativ test does not rule out hip dysplacia

Question 36

what is a less reliable test for hip dysplasia?

Answer 36

bardens test

Question 37

how is bardens test performed?

Answer 37

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