Upper forelimb (Yr4)

Question 1

what do owners mean when they refer to the knee?

Answer 1

carpus

Question 2

what are the bones of the proximal row of the carpus?

Answer 2

(medial) radial carpal bone, intermediate carpal bone, ulnar carpal bone, accessory carpal bone (lateral)

Question 3

what are the bones of the distal row in the carpus?

Answer 3

(medial) C2, C3, C4 (lateral)

Question 4

what is the proximal joint of the carpus called?

Answer 4

radiocarpal (antebrachiocarpal)

Question 5

what joint spaces communicate in the carpus?

Answer 5

middle carpal and carpometacarpal joint

Question 6

what can cause carpal osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

trauma, sepsis, fractures, soft tissue injury…
poor conformation

Question 7

how can carpal osteoarthritis be managed?

Answer 7

intra-articular medications and NSAIDs

Question 8

what is an osteochondral fragmentation of the carpus called?

Answer 8

carpal chip fracture

Question 9

what are the possible reasons for a osteochondral fragment of the carpus?

Answer 9

osteoarthritis (ostephyte formation)
racing breeds during training (abnormal loading)

Question 10

how is osteochondral fragmentation treated?

Answer 10

arthroscopic removal of fragment

Question 11

what is a common fracture of the carpus associated with trauma?

Answer 11

accessory carpal bone

Question 12

how are carpal bone fractures treated?

Answer 12

most heal by fibrosis with conservative management (surgical repair is difficult as it is a curved shallow bone)

Question 13

what is the carpal canal?

Answer 13

a tendon sheath containing the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons

Question 14

what problems can occur with the carpal canal?

Answer 14

idiopathic tenosynovitis
septic tenosynovitis
tendinitis of SDFT/DDFT
desmitis of accessory ligament of SDFT
radial physeal exostosis
accessory carpal bone fractures

Question 15

what is the accessory ligament of the SDFT also known as?

Answer 15

superior check ligament

Question 16

how can carpal subluxations be treated?

Answer 16

stabilise with full limb bandage and splints
surgery might be possible
often require euthanasia is there are fractures or carpal bone collapse involved

Question 17

what is the outcome for open/complete radial fractures?

Answer 17

euthanasia

Question 18

how can radial fractures be treated?

Answer 18

full limb bandage with caudal and lateral splint if closed/incomplete fracture
internal fixation in foals