Forelimb lameness- static exam

Question 1

When performing forelimb diagnostic anaesthesia what drug do you do

Answer 1

Mepicaine
can use bupivicaine - longer action but expensive

Question 2

List 3 conditions when to not perform a nerve block

Answer 2

suspected fractures or severe soft tissue injuries
risk of infection
you can’t perform technique in a safe manner

Question 3

what are the key principles of performing nerve blocks

Answer 3

aseptic technique
aim the needle down leg
place needle separately
VAN- nerve more palmar
start distally and work proximally

Question 4

List 3 nerve block in the order you perform then

Answer 4

Palmar digital nerve block
Abaxial sesamoid nerve block
Low four point (fetlock and below)

Question 5

what does the palmar digital block do

Answer 5

removes sensation to palmar foot

Question 6

what does the abaxial sesamoid nerve block do

Answer 6

Removes sensation to foot, pastern and palmar fetlock

Question 7

what does a low 4 point nerve block do

Answer 7

Removes sensation to fetlock and below

Question 8

Which local anaesthetic is normally used for nerve blocks in the horse?

Answer 8

Mepivicaine

Question 9

Which is the first nerve block you would start with on a horse which is forelimb lame with no localising signs?

Answer 9

Palmar digital nerve block

Question 10

You have been asked to re-examine a horse which has previously had proximal interphalangeal (pastern) joint pain which resolved, and the horse has now gone lame again. What response to nerve blocks would you expect if the proximal interphalangeal joint was still painful?

Answer 10

The lameness would improve with a palmar digital nerve block and completely resolve with an abaxial sesamoid nerve block.