Lameness in horses is a condition characterized by an abnormal gait or stance due to pain or mechanical dysfunction affecting the limbs or spine. It is a common issue in equine practice and can result from a variety of causes, including injury, infection, or degenerative diseases. Lameness can affect a horse's performance and quality of life, making accurate diagnosis and management important for equine health. Diagnostic techniques often include physical examination, imaging, and gait analysis. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, diagnostic methods, and management strategies for lameness in horses.
Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Gavin PR, Ho CP, Tucker RL, Charles EM.Seventy-two horses with recent onset of navicular syndrome and normal radiographs were assessed. Horses underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of both front feet. All abnormalities were characterized and the most severe abnormality identified, if possible. Abnormal signal intensity in the navicular bone was the most severe abnormality in 24 (33%) horses. Pathologic change in the deep digital flexor tendon was the most severe abnormality in 13 (18%) horses. Pathologic change in the collateral sesamoidean ligament was the most severe abnormality in 11 (15%) horses. Pathologic change in the di...
Brenner S, Whitcomb MB.The clinical and ultrasonographic features of seven horses with coxofemoral subluxation are presented. Affected horses included five adult geldings (11-20 years), one large pony (6 years) and a 3-month-old filly. All were lame at the walk except for the pony with grade 3/5 lameness. Lameness was acute in all horses, but three horses progressed after initial improvement. Crepitus, muscle atrophy, and pelvic asymmetry were inconsistent findings. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of subluxation required dynamic visualization of femoral head displacement from the acetabulum while placing weight on the af...
de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Grulke S, Detilleux J, Salciccia A, Verwilghen DR, Caudron I, Gangl M, Serteyn DD.The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of postoperative laminitis in colic cases and to determine if low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in preventing this complication. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Client-owned horses. Interventions- SC administration of enoxaparin during the postoperative period. Results: Medical records of 360 horses undergoing surgery for colic and surviving at least 3 days were evaluated. Fifty-six horses admitted before 1995 did not receive LMWH (control group) and 304 admitted after 1995 received LMWH as a prophylaxis for lam...
Smith LC, Greet TR, Bathe AP.To describe a lateral approach for screw fixation in lag fashion of simple spiral medial condylar fractures of the third metacarpus/metatarsus (MC3/MT3). Methods: Case series. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n=9). Methods: Nondisplaced medial MC3/MT3 condylar fractures (3 thoracic, 6 pelvic limbs), with mean length 126 mm (range, 91-151 mm) were repaired by internal fixation, under general anesthesia, using multiple 4.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion from the lateral aspect of the limb, using radiographic or fluoroscopic guidance. Horses were recovered from anesthesia in half-lim...
Broster CE, Burn CC, Barr AR, Whay HR.Lameness is highly prevalent in working horses, but published reports on the associated pathological abnormalities are lacking. With over 42 million horses in developing countries and the majority used for work, lameness has major welfare implications. Objective: To describe the range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses. Methods: A standard lameness assessment was adapted for field use in working equids. Data on pathological abnormalities and pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine were collected through observation, palpation, manipulati...
Jansson N.To report use of a magnetic retriever for arthroscopic removal of a metallic foreign body from the equine talocrural joint. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: A 2-year-old Warmblood stallion. Methods: A metallic foreign body was removed from a talocrural joint using a 10-mm magnetic retriever under arthroscopic guidance. Preoperative radiographs were used to locate the intra-articular position of the foreign body. Results: Six months after surgery, the horse was no longer lame. Conclusions: A magnetic retriever can be used for arthroscopic removal of metallic foreign bodies from the equine tal...
Geburek F, Rötting AK, Stadler PM.To assess agreement between ultrasonography (transcutaneous and transrectal) and standing radiography in horses with fractures in the pelvic region and disorders of the coxofemoral joint. Methods: Case series. Methods: Warmblood horses (n=23) and 2 ponies. Methods: Medical records (1999-2008) of equids with pelvic or coxofemoral disorders that had pelvic radiography and ultrasonography were retrieved and results of both techniques compared. Results: Radiography and ultrasonography each identified equal numbers of fractures of the tuber coxa (n=4), ilial shaft (2), ischium (3), femoral neck (2)...
Muylle S, Vanderperren K, Saunders J, Simoens P.Desmopathy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) in the hindlimb has recently been described as a cause of lameness in horses. However, there is limited morphometric data on this ligament. In the present study, the ALDDFT was carefully dissected in 165 hindlimbs that were collected from an abattoir. Length, width (lateral-to-medial) and thickness (plantar-to-dorsal) of the ligament were measured. It was found that the ALDDFT may be absent in a minority of horses, but when it was present the general morphology was variable. The ALDDFT can be a single rectilinear s...
Cohen JM, Richardson DW, McKnight AL, Ross MW, Boston RC.To (1) examine the outcome in horses with osteoarthritis or intra-articular soft tissue injuries of the stifle after arthroscopic exploration and debridement and (2) to determine any imaging or surgical findings that may influence prognosis. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=44) with lameness referable to the stifle, diagnosed with osteoarthritis, meniscal tears, or other intra-articular soft tissue injuries based on arthroscopic examination. Methods: Medical records of horses with stifle lameness that had arthroscopic exploration were reviewed. Horses with osteochondrosis lesions, intr...
Jones P, Delco M, Beard W, Lillich JD, Desormaux A.Osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) is a common cause of chronic lameness in the horse that requires surgical arthrodesis when medical management is no longer able to alleviate pain. Surgical principles for successful PIPJ arthrodesis include articular cartilage debridement and rigid fixation. To completely debride articular cartilage, the collateral ligaments and extensor tendon are transected, disarticulating the joint. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that in chronically lame horses with periarticular new-bone formation and osteoarthritis, successful arth...
Nourian AR, Mills PC, Pollitt CC.Intraosseous (i.o.) infusion of the distal phalanx (IOIDP) as a delivery route targeting hoof lamellar tissue of standing, conscious horses was evaluated. Following sedation and regional nerve blockade in six Standardbred horses, a microdialysis (MD) probe was implanted into the hoof lamellar tissue of one forelimb. A purpose designed cannulated bone screw was introduced into the body of the distal phalanx, approximately 6 cm from the MD probe. Gentamicin solution (25 mg/mL) was infused at 20 microL/min through the bone screw for 2 h without the application of a tourniquet. MD and blood sample...
Hanly BK, Stokes AM, Bell AM, Johnson JR, Keowen ML, Paulsen DB, Sod GA, Moore RM.To determine the feasibility of performing serial laminar and skin biopsies on sedated horses and whether sampling affected adjacent tissues. Methods: 6 horses. Methods: Laminar tissues were harvested via biopsy through the hoof wall from healthy conscious horses via sedation and regional anesthesia. Eight specimens were collected at 4 time points during 24 hours from a single foot. Laminar biopsy specimens were harvested with a 6-mm-diameter biopsy punch after burring through the horny corium to the stratum medium. Skin biopsy specimens were collected from an area proximal to the coronary ban...
Lopes MS, Diesterbeck U, da Câmara Machado A, Distl O.Navicular disease or podotrochlosis is one of the main causes of progressive forelimb lameness in warmblood horses. The objective of this study was to refine a quantitative trait locus on horse chromosome 2 for radiological alterations in the contour of the navicular bone (RAC) in Hanoverian warmblood horses. Genotyping was performed in 192 Hanoverian warmblood horses from 17 paternal half-sib groups. The marker set was extended to 58 informative microsatellites including nine newly developed microsatellites. QTL for RAC could be delineated at 32.50-43.13 Mb and a further new QTL for RAC could...
Chesen AB, Dabareiner RM, Chaffin MK, Carter GK.To determine clinical signs, ultrasonographic findings, and outcome of horses with tendinitis of the proximal portion of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT; group A horses) and to compare signalment, horse use, and outcome in these horses with that of horses with tendinitis of the midmetacarpal region of the SDFT (group B horses). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 12 group A horses and 22 group B horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, horse use, and outcome information; data for group A horses also included severity of lameness, diagnostic results, a...
Back W, MacAllister CG, van Heel MC, Pollmeier M, Hanson PD.Lameness is a highly prevalent condition in horses and the principal cause of removal from athletic activity. In clinical studies to evaluate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapies, force plates are commonly used to assess improvement of lameness objectively. Objective: To use a force plate to determine the optimal dose of a new COX-2 inhibitor (firocoxib) that will reduce lameness, when administered orally to horses once daily. Methods: Sixty-four horses that exhibited chronic lameness presumed due to osteoarthritis, including navicular disease, in at least one of the frontlimbs and at...
Church EE, Walker AM, Wilson AM, Pfau T.Advances in gait analysis techniques have led to assessment tools that can aid in detecting and quantifying lameness; here, bilateral tubera coxae and pelvic movement during over ground locomotion are compared in order to investigate a practical method to assess hindlimb lameness in the horse. Objective: To evaluate which parameters from anatomical landmarks on trunk and proximal hindlimbs are the best indicators of degree and side of hindlimb lameness. Methods: Fifteen horses (age 11-23 years, 6 nonlame and 9 unilaterally hindlimb lame horses 1/10 to 2/10 lame) were fitted with 4 inertial sen...
Decurnex V, Anderson GA, Davies HM.Most lameness in horses relates to foot problems and may be associated with changes in hoof shape, but there is a lack of information on the influence of normal exercise on hoof shape. Objective: To investigate the effect of training on proximal hoof circumference in young Thoroughbred racehorses being prepared for racing. Methods: Thirty-seven young Thoroughbred racehorses were included in this study. Front hoof circumference immediately below the coronary band was measured weekly with a measuring tape in all horses present at the stable. Most horses accomplished a minimum of 2 training perio...
Dabareiner RM, Cole RC.To determine history; clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic abnormalities; treatment; and outcome in horses with tuber coxae fractures and to describe a useful technique for obtaining a dorsomedial-ventrolateral 50 degrees oblique radiographic view of the tuber coxa of the ilium in standing horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 29 horses with fractures of tuber coxa. Methods: Data collected from medical records included signalment; history; horse use; severity and duration of lameness; radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic findings; treatment; a...
Parkes RS, Weller R, Groth AM, May S, Pfau T.Visual assessment of horses' movements is subjective, affected by bias and dependent on the level of experience of the assessor. However, to date there are no data available on the ability of the human visual system to recognise (a)symmetry in moving objects. Objective: To investigate, using visual lameness assessment, the limits of human perception and the ability of experienced and nonexperienced individuals to detect asymmetry in 2 moving objects simulating hindlimb lameness in the horse. Methods: Twelve experienced individuals (equine and small animal clinicians), and 24 nonexperienced ind...
Ducro BJ, Bovenhuis H, Back W.Warmblood horse studbooks aim to breed horses with a conformation that will enable elite future performance, but reduce the risk of injuries and lameness. Negative conformational traits, such as asymmetrical or 'uneven' forefeet would possibly diminish performance. Objective: To assess the prevalence and heritability of uneven feet and its genetic relationship to other conformation traits as well as to sporting performance later in life in Warmblood riding horses. Methods: The databases of the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN, n = 44,840 horses) and Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation...
Ducro BJ, Gorissen B, van Eldik P, Back W.Warmblood horse studbooks aim to breed horses with a conformation that will enable elite future sports performance, but reduce the risk of early retirement due to lameness. Negative conformational traits, such as asymmetrical or 'uneven' forefeet may possibly shorten the career of sporthorses. Objective: To investigate the significance of foot conformation at young age to duration of the career of sporthorses. Methods: Databases of the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) and of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS) were matched and resulted in a dataset comprising 23,116 record...
Carter RA, Treiber KH, Geor RJ, Douglass L, Harris PA.The ability to predict ponies at increased risk of laminitic episodes, when exposed to nutrient dense pasture, would facilitate management to avoid disease. Objective: To identify variables and clinically useful cut-off values with reproducible diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of ponies that subsequently developed laminitis when exposed to nutrient dense pasture. Methods: A cohort of predominantly Welsh and Dartmoor ponies from a closed herd was evaluated in March 2006 (n = 74) and March 2007 (n = 57). Ponies were categorised as never laminitic or previously laminitic according to report...
Byam-Cook KL, Singer ER.Despite the possibility that sound horses may have radiographic signs consistent with osteoarthritis of the small tarsal joints (OA-STJ), a diagnosis of 'bone spavin' as a cause of lameness is often made based only on radiographic examination. Objective: To determine whether severity of radiographic change and response to treatment are correlated with the duration and degree of lameness and the response to intraarticular anaesthesia in horses with OA-STJ. Methods: A retrospective study of all horses that showed a positive response to intra-articular anaesthesia of the STJ was performed. Detail...
Kalck KA, Frank N, Elliott SB, Boston RC.To ascertain whether laminitis can be induced via administration of oligofructose (OF) at doses of 5.0 and 7.5 g/kg in horses and to assess glucose and insulin dynamics before and after treatment. Methods: 19 adult horses. Methods: Horses were fed OF (1.0 g/kg) mixed with oats for 6 days. Oligofructose at doses of 5.0 and 7.5 g/kg was then mixed with 4 L of water and administered (0 hours) to 8 (group A) and 4 (group B) horses, respectively, via nasogastric intubation; 8 horses received water alone. One horse in group A that did not develop laminitis was subsequently treated again and included...
Gorgas D, Luder P, Lang J, Doherr MG, Ueltschi G, Kircher P.Nuclear bone scintigraphy is commonly used in the diagnosis of sacroiliac disease in horses. The aim of the present retrospective study was to determine if there was an association between radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern and radiographic appearance of the sacroiliac region in horses. Seventy-nine horses undergoing bone scintigraphy with Tc-99 m-HDP and radiography of the pelvis because of lameness or poor performance were studied. Subjective and semiquantitative methods were used to characterize and compare radiopharmaceutical uptake between horses. Ventrodorsal radiographs of the region we...
Murray RC, Walters JM, Snart H, Dyson SJ, Parkin TD.The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of illness and lameness at different anatomical sites in registered United Kingdom dressage horses and to identify risk factors for lameness. A questionnaire was sent to all 11,363 registered members of British Dressage in 2005, with one questionnaire assigned per horse. Four multivariable logistic regression models were developed for each section of the questionnaire. A final mixed effects logistic regression model was developed which combined the results from all prior models. Owners reported that 33% of horses had been lame at some time d...
Budak MT, Orsini JA, Pollitt CC, Rubinstein NA.Gene expression in the lamellar dermis and epidermis was compared between healthy horses and horses in the developmental phase of carbohydrate overload-induced laminitis, in order to better understand the local biochemical and cellular events involved in the pathogenesis of laminitis. Methods: Six healthy adult horses, with no history or clinical evidence of laminitis. Methods: Horses were randomly divided into two groups: control (n=3) and laminitis (n=3). Control horses received no treatment and were humanely euthanatized at the same time as the laminitis group. Horses in the laminitis group...
Hobbs SJ, Mather J, Rolph C, Bower JA, Matuszewski B.Strains during stance on the hoof wall surface have been measured by a number of authors in vitro and in vivo. Histological structure and mechanical properties vary through the wall thickness (radially); radial strain measurements may therefore aid the understanding of mechanical function of the capsule and adjacent tissues. Objective: To develop instrumentation capable of measuring internal hoof strain, and to carry out a preliminary comparison of normal and laminitic hooves. Methods: Six forelimbs from 4 horses, including 2 with laminitis from the same horse, were tested using an Instron tes...
Vanderperren K, Bergman HJ, Spoormakers TJ, Pille F, Duchateau L, Puchalski SM, Saunders JH.Lysis of the axial aspect of equine proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) is a rare condition reported to have septic or traumatic origins. Limited information exists regarding imaging of nonseptic axial osteitis of a PSB. Objective: To report the clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, computed tomographic and intra-arterial contrast-enhanced computed tomographic abnormalities in horses with axial nonseptic osteitis of a PSB. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Eighteen horses diagnosed with nonseptic osteitis of the axial border of a PSB between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed retrospecti...
Sullivan SN, Altmann NN, Brokken MT, Durgam SS.Primary deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) pathologies and those accompanying degenerative changes of navicular bone fibrocartilage are major causes of lameness associated with navicular disease. Intrasynovial corticosteroids are mainstay in the treatment due to the anti-inflammatory effects, but their effect on DDFT cell biosynthesis are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) on cells isolated from the dorsal fibrocartilaginous region of forelimb DDFTs (DDFT-derived cells) of 5 horses (aged 11-17 years). Non-adherent aggregate c...
Neil KM, Axon JE, Todhunter PG, Adams PL, Caron JP, Adkins AR.To determine the clinical characteristics and outcome of foals with septic osteitis of the distal phalanx. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 22 foals. Methods: Information obtained from medical records included signalment; clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings; treatment method; and outcome. Foals included in the study had lameness referable to the foot, radiographic evidence of localized lysis or focal loss of bone density of the distal phalanx, and suppurative discharge or necrosis of the affected bone evident at surgery. Foals with a history or evidence of penetrating w...
Dowling PM, Williams MA, Clark TP.Adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed in a 9-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding that had received monthly injections of stanozolol for 8 years. After the injections were abruptly discontinued, the horse developed anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, and bilateral forelimb lameness. Secondary hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs, lack of high endogenous plasma ACTH concentration, and lack of cortisol response to administration of ACTH. Because the medical history did not include glucocorticoid administration, the cause was determined to be excessive administration of ...
Smit IH, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjodin E, Björnsdóttir S, Gunnarsdottir H, Gunnarsson V, Rhodin M, Serra Braganca FM.Lameness assessment in the gaited Icelandic horse is complex. We aimed to describe their kinematic and temporal adaptation strategies in response to forelimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Ten clinically non-lame Icelandic horses were measured before and after reversible forelimb lameness induction. Upper body and limb kinematics were measured using 11 inertial measurement units mounted on the poll, withers, pelvis (tubera sacrale) and all four limbs and hoofs (Equimoves®, 500 Hz). Horses were measured on a straight line at walk and trot in-hand and ...
Ingle-Fehr JE, Baxter GM.To describe endoscopic approaches to the calcaneal bursa and clinical findings in 2 horses with calcaneal bursitis. Methods: Cadaver evaluations and retrospective case reports. Methods: 12 cadavers and 2 adult horses. Methods: Cadaver specimens of the calcaneal bursa were evaluated with a rigid arthroscope and gross dissection to determine the endoscopic appearance of anatomic structures located within the bursa. The site(s) for placement of the arthroscope and instrument(s) was determined based on cadaver dissection and endoscopic examination. Results: Placement of the arthroscope 1 cm dorsal...
Gaustad G, Dolvik NI, Larsen S.To compare effects of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis. Methods: 38 Standardbred horses with moderate to severe lameness that resulted from traumatic arthritis. Methods: Horses were stratified on the basis of number of affected joints. In each stratum, horses were allocated randomly to treatment groups (intraarticular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution vs rest only). Treatment was for a period of 3 weeks. Horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2 to 4 weeks after completion of treatment. ...
Bengtsdotter EA, Ekman S, Andersen PH.Inguinal pain, unexplained hind limb lameness, back pain or behavioural problems in geldings could be attributable to painful neuromas that develop as a consequence of crushing and severing the testicular nerves during castration. The presence of neuroma in this anatomical location has never been reported, hence the knowledge of possible clinical relevance is limited. The aim of this study was to histologically investigate the testicular nerves at the castration site in geldings for the presence of neuromas. Proximal spermatic cord remnants were collected from 20 geldings admitted to routine p...
Spoormakers TJP, Graat EAM, Serra Bragança FM, Weeren PRV, Brommer H.Lameness assessment in horses is still predominantly performed using subjective methods. Visual assessment is known to have moderate to good intra-rater agreement but relatively poor inter-rater agreement. Little is known about inter- and intra-rater agreement on the evaluation of back motion, for which no objective measurement technique in a clinical setting is available thus far. To describe inter- and intra-rater agreement of visual evaluation of equine back mobility. Rater reliability study using a fully crossed design in which all horses are rated by all observers. This data is compared w...
Prasse KW, Allen D, Moore JN, Duncan A.The balance of coagulation and fibrinolysis was studied in 15 horses during the prodromal stages of acute laminitis induced by carbohydrate overload. Progression of the disease was stopped 12 to 24 hours before the expected onset of lameness in trial 1 (8 horses) and at the onset of lameness in trial 2 (7 horses). The end points in each trial were identified by specific changes in blood pressures (trial 1) and by changes in pulse, rectal temperature, and arterial pressure (trial 2) that were anticipated on the basis of original description of the experimental model. Blood samples for hemostasi...
Le Roux C, Carstens A.Axial sesamoiditis or osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in the horse is described as a rare condition. The cause remains unknown and speculative, with vascular, infectious, and traumatic aetiologies implicated. It is specifically associated with injury of the palmar or plantar ligament (PL), also known as the intersesamoidean ligament. Imaging findings are generally rewarding and radiological changes are typical, if not pathognomonic, for the condition. Lesions consist of bone lysis at the apical to mid-body axial margins of the PSBs, with variable degrees of joint effusion. Radio...
Popot MA, Jacobs M, Garcia P, Loup B, Guyonnet J, Toutain PL, Bailly-Chouriberry L, Bonnaire Y.Tiludronate is a bisphosphonate drug marketed to treat different bone conditions in horses. Objective: The goal of this study was to measure the plasma concentrations of tiludronate in a population of race and sport horses under field conditions, and using pharmacokinetic population modelling, to estimate detection times for doping control. Methods: Prospective cohort. Methods: This study was conducted under field conditions on 39 race or sport horses diagnosed with bone conditions based on a lameness examination and treated with tiludronate. Each horse received 1 mg/kg of tiludronate (Tildren...
Bertone AL, Reisbig NA, Kilborne AH, Kaido M, Salmanzadeh N, Lovasz R, Sizemore JL, Scheuermann L, Kopp RJ, Zekas LJ, Brokken MT.To assess if injection of allogeneic dental pulp tissue particles would improve lameness in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) or soft tissue (ST) injury. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded, and controlled clinical trial and client survey assessment. Methods: Forty lame client-owned horses. Methods: Sterile dental pulp, recovered from otherwise healthy foals that perish during dystocia, was processed under good manufacturing processing to produce mechanically manipulated, unexpanded pulp tissue particles containing viable cells surrounded in extracellular matrix. Forty ...
Roach JM, Pfau T, Bryars J, Unt V, Channon SB, Weller R.Kinematic evaluation of the distal limb of the horse using standard methods is challenging, mainly due to the hoof capsule restricting visualisation, but the recent development of a high-speed fluoroscopy (HSF) system has allowed in vivo cineradiographic assessment of moving skeletal structures at high speeds. The application of this non-invasive method to the equine distal limb is used to describe 'internal' distal limb kinematics including intra-horse and inter-horse variability, and variability between walk and trot. Distal limb kinematic data were collected at walk and trot from six non-la...
Ludwig EK, Byron CR.A 2-year-old, 8-weeks pregnant, non-weight bearing miniature horse mare was treated for a 6-day-old left coxofemoral joint luxation with a femoral head ostectomy. The procedure had no negative effects on pregnancy or parturition and 23 months following surgery the horse had minimal lameness. Une jument miniature non portante gravide de 8 semaines et âgée de 2 ans a été traitée pour une luxation de l’articulation coxofémorale gauche datant de 6 jours à l’aide d’une ostectomie de la tête fémorale. L’intervention n’a pas eu d’effets négatifs sur la gestation ou la parturiti...
Jenner F, Kirker-Head C.To determine the physiologic response of the equine navicular bone to core decompression surgery in healthy horses. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n=6). Methods: Core decompression was completed by creating three 2.5-mm-diameter drill channels into the navicular bone under arthroscopic control. The venous (P(V)), arterial (P(A)), articular (P(DIPJ)), and intraosseous pressures (IOP) were recorded before and after decompression drilling. Each IOP measurement consisted of a baseline (IOP(B)) and a stress test (intramedullary injection of saline solution, IOP(...
Meier A, McGree J, Klee R, Preuß J, Reiche D, de Laat M, Sillence M.Endocrinopathic, or hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL) is a common and debilitating equine foot disease, and although no pharmacological treatments are registered, several are under development. To evaluate the effect of such treatments, an accurate and consistent method is needed to track the clinical signs of laminitis over time, and the natural history of the disease, in terms of a 'normal' pattern of improvement, needs to be understood. This study examined the improvement pattern in clinical cases of naturally-occurring HAL subjected to a range of best-practice interventions, usi...
Riley CB, Scott WM, Caron JP, Fretz PB, Bailey JV, Barber SM.The clinical features, radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome in 51 draft horses with osteochondritis dessicans (OCD) or subchondral cystic lesions (SC) are reported. Clydesdale and Percheron were the most commonly affected breeds, and affected animals represented only 5% of the hospital population of draft horses. Horses were most frequently affected in the tibiotarsal joints and 73% (24 of 33 cases) of the horses with tibiotarsal effusion were affected bilaterally. Osteochondritis dessicans of the distal intermediate ridge was the most common lesion found in the tibiotarsal joint. The...
Bramlage LR, Gabel AA, Hackett RP.Five horses with avulsion fractures of the proximal origin of the suspensory ligament were examined for lameness. The horses in the series each had lameness of acute onset; four were severely lame, and one was moderately lame. The condition was difficult to diagnose because commonly used local anesthetic blocks did not result in improvement during the routine examination. Local infiltration of the area with local anesthetic returned the horses to soundness. After a period of rest, varying from a few weeks in the acute injury to 6 months in the chronic injuries, the horses were returned to raci...
Russell JW, Hall MS, Kelly GM.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was presented with a grade 3/5 lameness of the right forelimb and effusion of the extensor carpi radialis tendon sheath (ECRTS). Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed an osteochondroma on the cranial aspect of the distal radius projecting into the fibrous lining of the ECRTS. An open surgical approach was used to remove the osteochondroma and some of the proliferative synovial tissue. Conclusions: Six months after surgery the clinical signs had resolved and the horse raced successfully.
Stover SM, Hornof WJ, Richardson GL, Meagher DM.History, physical examination, and bone scintigraphy were used to diagnose central and/or third tarsal bone trauma in 3 acutely lame horses. In all 3 cases, the results of initial radiographic examination were negative. Bone scintigraphy revealed focal, intense radioisotope uptake at the level of the distal tarsal bones in the 3 horses. Radiographs obtained 4 weeks after injury in one horse demonstrated a slab fracture of the central tarsal bone. Conservative management of the tarsal bone disease resulted in acceptable return to function in all 3 horses.
Mair TS, Kinns J.Injury to the distal aspects of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is an important cause of lameness in horses. The purpose of this study was to review the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 18 horses affected by DDFT injuries in the foot. The MRI was performed with the horses standing using an open low-field (0.21 T) MRI scanner. The results were compared with those previously reported for horses using high-field MRI. Eighteen of 84 horses (21%) with undiagnosed forefoot pain were found to have lesions affecting the DDFT. The history, clinical findings and results of radiography,...
Hall S, Smith R, Ramzan PHL, Head M, Robinson N, Parker R.Rib fractures in adult horses are poorly documented. Objective: To describe the presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of horses diagnosed with rib fracture. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: The clinical records and diagnostic images of all adult horses diagnosed with a rib fracture at three referral centres over a 15-year period were reviewed. Results: Seventy-three horses met the inclusion criteria. Horses presented due to either resistance to ridden work and poor performance (n = 41), lameness (n = 21) or trauma (n = 7). In four horses, the presenting complaint...
Doyle PS, White NA.To determine clinical, scintigraphic, radiographic, and arthroscopic findings and results of treatment in horses with lameness attributable to subtle osteochondral lesions of the shoulder joint. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 15 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and results of physical examination, scintigraphy, radiography, arthroscopy, and treatment were recorded. Results: Severity of lameness ranged from grade 1 to 4. Response to shoulder flexion or extension was variable. Twelve horses had a narrow upright foot. Intra-articular anesthesia of the shoulder joint localiz...
Steckel RR.Bone scanning to help diagnose orthopedic disease has been used in human patients for over two decades. The value of this diagnostic tool has been well established in helping to identify a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It has only recently been used by veterinarians for more accurate characterization of equine musculoskeletal disease. The technique offers the major advantage of increased sensitivity over standard radiographic imaging. The case material illustrated here shows that except for consistent identification of bone cysts, most of the pathologic changes to the horse's musculos...
Eaton SA, Allen D, Eades SC, Schneider DA.Starling forces and hemodynamics in the digits of 5 horses were studied during early laminitis induced by oral administration of an aqueous extract of black walnut (Juglans nigra). The black walnut extract was prepared from heartwood shavings and was administered by nasogastric tube. Heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, central venous and arterial pressures, digital pulses, and signs of lameness were monitored. Blood samples were collected for determination of WBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and PCV and for endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor assays. Total WBC count and centra...
Dyson S, Murray R.Nuclear scintigraphy is commonly used as a diagnostic aid for foot pain, but there is limited information about different patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) and their correlation with the results of other imaging modalities. Objective: To describe patterns of RU in horses with foot pain. Methods: Scintigraphic images of the feet of 264 horses with front foot pain were analysed subjectively and using region of interest analysis. Magnetic resonance images of all feet were analysed prospectively; the navicular bones were reassessed retrospectively and assigned a grade. A Spearman rank co...
Croxford AK, Parker RA, Burford JH, Lloyd D, Boswell JC, Hughes TK, Phillips TJ.Chondromalacia of the cranial medial femoral condyle (CMFC) is a potential cause of stifle lameness in adult horses. However, there is scant published evidence of either its occurrence or its clinical significance. Objective: To document the occurrence of CMFC seen during diagnostic arthroscopy in adult horses with stifle lameness and to investigate its prognostic significance. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The records were reviewed of all horses with unilateral or bilateral lameness localised to the stifle that underwent diagnostic arthroscopy of the cranial medial femorotibia...
Sullivan HM, Acutt EV, Barrett MF, Salman MD, Ellis KL, King MR.The clinical relationship between equine limb lameness and secondary back dysfunction is largely unknown. Proper function of the spine is critical to maintain the integrity of the kinetic chain and attenuate forces from the appendicular skeleton. The musculus multifidus (m. multifidus) is the primary muscle providing spinal intersegmental stabilization and a functional relationship between m. multifidus hypertrophy and equine postural stability has been established. The relationship between equine thoracolumbar m. multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and limb lameness is unknown. The objectiv...
