Flashcards in Intro and investigation of lameness Deck (42)
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1
Outline approach to the lame horse
History (Anamnesis)
• Observation from a distance:
– Symmetry
– Posture
– Conformation
• Palpation
– Incl. hoof testers
• Gait Observauion / Movement
– Baseline
– Addiyional Movement
• Selected Examination Steps
– Manipulations
– Flexion Tests
• Diagnostic Analgesia
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Treatment
2
Name 2 objective tests
- kinetics
- kinematics (motion of points, bodies and systems/ groups of bodies without consideration of the causes of motion)
3
What are the 2 types of observation?
- subjective
- objective (kinetic and kinematic)
4
What basic info is important in the hx?
• SIGNALMENT – Sex, Breed, Age*, Use
• CURRENT LAMENESS: What is the problem?
– hx of trauma
– Duration of lameness
– Deterioration or improvement, circumstances
– Effects of exercise
– Management Changes
• Changes in shoeing or related changes
• Changes in training or performance intensity
• Changes in stable/working/turn-out surface
• Changes in housing
• Changes in health & diet
• Current medication and response, response to rest
• Past Lameness Problems
5
Specifc aspects of hx that are important in a lameness work up
TYPE OF SPORTING ACTIVITY
– Level of Competition (past, current, intended)
• ADDITIONAL SOURCES
– Images / Video tapes
– Records
– Diagnostic Imaging
– Discussion with others
6
Where might chronic porgressive OA affect the older horse? 8
– PIP joint
– DIP joint
– MCP joint
– Carpometacarpal joint
– Coxofemoral joint
– FemoroRbial joints
– Tarsus
– Previous injury (retired racehorses)
7
What should you observe from a distance?
- symmetry, posture and conformation
- poor conformation doesn't necessarily mean lameness
- significant variations usually obvious
8
What should you palpate?
- SDFT origin and insertion
- distal sesamoidean ligaments
- digital pulses
- hoof testers
- tendons (loaded and unloaded)
9
What are you looking for when palpating joints?
- distension
- temperature
- pain
- ROM
10
What should you palpate along equine back?
- back
- pelvis (tuber coxae adn tuber ischii)
11
What is limb movement composed of? 2
horse's travel and action
12
Define a horse's 'travel'
- flight of a single hoof in relation to other limbs
- often viewed from side or behind
13
Define a horse's 'action'
– Overall description of gait characterisyics
– Takes into account joint flexion, stride length, suspension and other qualities – Variation between different types and breeds
14
What are the phases of an equine stride?
- landing
- slide
- loading
- stance
- breakover (heel lift and toe pivot)
- swing
15
Describe gait - walk
• Even rhythm four-beat gait
• Not very suitable to recognise subtle lameness
16
Describe gait - pace
- Two-beat lateral gait
– Ipsilateral fore- and hindlimbs elevate alternatively
– Viable gait for STB racehorses and some other breeds
– Considered an impure gait for most “normal” horses
17
Describe canter
- Three-beat gait with lead preference
– Difficult to identify subtle lameness
– Useful for back/rider/saddle associated problems
18
Describe trot
- Two-beat diagonal gait
• Steadiest and most rhythmic gait in most horses
19
Which gait is preferred for a lameness exam?
trot
20
If you are in doubt as to the location of a lameness, what can you do?
- palpation
- nerve and joint blocks
21
What should you determine with gait observation/ movement?
1. is the animal lame? which legs?
2. How lame (grading system, will i be able to appreciate a difference with diagnostic analgesia)
22
Goal - lameness exam
localise the source of lameness in the limb(s) to allow for targeted diagnostic imaging and tx (helps cost and specificity)
23
Name 2 lameness grading scales
- American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP, scale 0-5)
- Wyn-Jones scale (0-10)
- doesn't matter which scale you use so long as you use one scale consistently
24
Outline the AAEP lameness grading scale
0:Lameness not perceptible under any circumstances
1:Lameness difficult to observe and not consistently
apparent, regardless of circumstances (e.g. weight
carrying, surface, circling, inclines, hard surface etc.)
2:Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when
troqng in a straight line but consistently apparent
under certain circumstances (e.g. weight carrying,
surface, circling, inclines, hard surface etc.)
3:Lameness consistently observable at a trot under all
circumstances
4:Lameness is obvious at a walk
5:Lameness produces minimal weight-bearing in moRon
and/or at rest or a complete inability to move
25
Outline the Wyn-Jones lameness grading scale
Grade 0: Sound.
Grade 2/10: Lameness hard to detect at walk or trot.
Grade 4/10: Lameness barely detectable at walk, easy to see
at trot.
Grade 6/10: Easily detectable lameness at walk.
Grade 8/10: Hobbling at walk. Unable/unwilling to trot.
Grade 10/10: Non weight-bearing
26
What does a fetlock drop suggest? Exception?
Usually more on opposite (sound) fore- or hind
limb
• Exception: Tendon or Suspensory Ligament damage
27
When might changes in limb stride be noted?
cranial and caudal phase of stride
28
Is it easier to recognise TL or HL lameness?
forelimb
29
Signs of forelimb lameness - 3
• HEAD NOD/ HEAD ELEVATION
– Head down when opposite forelimb hits ground
– Head up when lame forelimb hits ground
• ASYMMETRICAL contraction pectoral mm.
• SOUND/CONCUSSION
– Harder landing on sound limb → louder noise
30