poor performance examination

Question 1

List 3 upper respiratory conditions that can cause poor performance

Answer 1

Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate
Pharyngeal collapse

Question 2

which body systems can be effected and cause poor performance

Answer 2

Musculoskeletal
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Reproductive
Cardio

Question 3

Name a lower respiratory disease that can cause poor performance

Answer 3

mild equine asthma

Question 4

Name a reproductive disease in males that can cause poor performance

Answer 4

cryptorchid

Question 5

List 2 causes of poor performance due to reproductive system in female

Answer 5

ovarian tumours
normal ovarian cyclicity

Question 6

Name a cardiac cause of poor performance in athletic horses

Answer 6

atrial fibrillation

Question 7

when we are palpating a poor performance case what should we focus on

Answer 7

more time manipulating the axial skeleton
focus on likely foci of bilateral lameness

Question 8

Describe how to examine the axial skeleton

Answer 8

neck palpation and baited stretches
deep sustained pressure onto the epaxial muscles
sternal lift
palpate the sacroiliac region

Question 9

what should we assess when palpating the epaxial muscles

Answer 9

muscle mass
muscle tone
symmetry
pain on palpation

Question 10

what is the function of the epaxial muscles

Answer 10

responsible for spinal stability and lateral flexion

Question 11

describe a sternal lift

Answer 11

sustained pressure applied to the sternum to encourage dorsiflexion of the cranial thoracic spine

Question 12

List 3 abnormalities you can see with a sternal lift

Answer 12

Lack of response
Transient response that cannot be maintained
Overt objection to dorsiflexion – watch out!!

Question 13

List 3 normal responses to applying pressure either side of a horses tail head

Answer 13

Dorsiflex lumbar spine and lumbosacral joint
Drop tuber ischii towards the floor
Remain relaxed- should hold for 20-30 seconds

Question 14

what type of joints is palpating effusion and passive range of motion important

Answer 14

high motion joints

Question 15

List 4 benefits of a ridden assessment when investigating poor performance

Answer 15

Some lameness can become more obvious when ridden
allows better understanding of the presenting complaints
important to investigate diseases of the axial skeleton
Can offer another (slightly biased!) opinion to the outcome of diagnostic analgesia

Question 16

what can be a problem with objective gait analysis (sensors)

Answer 16

Measures asymmetry in millimeters and gives a predominantly limb- this could not work when bilaterally lame

Question 17

which tarsal joints can communicate

Answer 17

TMT (tarsometatarsal joint) and DIT (distal intertarsal joint)

Question 18

what is the most common joint to be affected by OA

Answer 18

tarsal joint

Question 19

why can diagnosing pain in tarsal region in poor performance cases be a challenge

Answer 19

The proximal suspensory ligament and tarsometatarsal joint are closely associated and anaesthesia of one can help the other

Question 20

What is some surgical option to treat refractory cases of proximal suspensory ligament problems

Answer 20

Neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy

Question 21

what is the difference between neurectomy and fasciotomy

Answer 21

Neurectomy —> permanent (usually) desensitisation of the ligament

Fasciotomy —-> allows the ligament to swell outwards overcoming compartment syndrome