Equine Forelimb Conditions *Come Back If Time* Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the most common location for forelimb lameness?
Metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) and distal
What findings are abnormal on a MSK/orthopedic examination?
Swelling
Effusion
Limb alignment
Define: Ringbone (low vs high)
Osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints
Low: DIP/coffin joint
High: PIP/pastern joint
Low ringbone
DIP/coffin joint
High ringbone
PIP/pastern joint
Which ringbone is this?
High ringbone
PIP/pastern joint
How is (high and low) ringbone managed medically?
Challenging
Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronan
NSAIDs
Extracorporeal shockwave (transient)
How is (high and low) ringbone managed surgically? What is the associated prognosis?
Arthrodesis - surgical joint fusion
PIP: better prognosis for athletic use/performance
DIP: salvage
What separates the fetlock joint from the digital flexor tendon sheath?
Suspensory branch
Dorsal = fetlock joint
Palmar = digital flexor tendon sheath
What are the 3 joints of the carpus? Where are they located? Which joints communicate?
What type of splint bone fractures are seen most commonly?
Lateral > medial
Distal most common
How are splint bone fractures diagnosed?
Variable lameness
Radiographs, ultrasound (check suspensory ligament - most common concurrent injury)
Splint bone fx
Splint bone fx
How are splint bone fractures treated?
Conservative: rest, bandaging, NSAIDs
Surgical: if causing lameness, or draining, internal fixation of proximal fractures
What clinical signs are associated with olecranon fractures?
Grade 4-5 lameness
Dropped elbow due to disrupted triceps apparatus
How are olecranon fractures stabilized?
Splinting (locking) the carpus in extension
What are differential diagnoses for dropped elbow?
Olecranon fractures
Radial nerve paralysis
Triceps myopathy
Humerus fracture
What is the best way to examine soft tissues?
Ultrasound
What is the stepwise approach to forelimb conditions?
MSK exam (pain, swelling, effusion)
Lameness examination
Anatomy knowledge to localize site of injury
Dx imaging to confirm sites of injury
