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.
Smith RK, Dyson SJ, Schramme MC, Head MJ, Payne RJ, Platt D, Walmsley J.Talocalcaneal osteoarthritis (TO) is an uncommon cause of moderate to severe hindlimb lameness, on which only isolated case reports have been published to date. Objective: To review the clinical features of TO and determine optimal methods for diagnosis, management and prognosis. Methods: The case records from 4 referral centres of 18 horses showing hindlimb lameness considered, as a result of clinical investigation, to be caused by TO, were reviewed. Results: TO affected mature sports and pleasure horses (age 7-16 years) and caused moderate to severe lameness, usually of sudden onset with no ...
Dyson SJ, Murray R, Schramme MC.The diagnosis of foot-related lameness often remains elusive and it can be difficult to offer rational treatment, or to predict outcome. Objective: To describe the spectrum of injuries of the foot identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to determine their relative prevalence among MRI diagnoses and to establish the long-term results of treatment. Methods: The MR images of horses examined from January 2001--December 2003 were reviewed. Horses were selected for MRI if the pain causing lameness was localised to the foot using perineural analgesia but any clinical, radiological or ultra...
Serena A, Schumacher J, Schramme MC, Degraves F, Bell E, Ravis W.The centrodistal (CD) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints are often injected individually with a corticosteroid to resolve lameness caused by osteoarthritis (OA). There are no data available regarding diffusion of methylprednisolone (MP) from the TMT joint to the CD joint. Objective: A therapeutic concentration of MP diffuses into the CD joint after methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) is administered into the TMT joint. Objective: To measure the concentration of MP in the CD joint after MPA was administered into the TMT joint. Methods: MPA was administered into a TMT joint of 16 horses. At different...
McGuigan MP, Walsh TC, Pardoe CH, Day PS, Wilson AM.Previous studies have implicated tension in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in the rotation of the distal phalanx (DP) after the breakdown of the dorsal laminae caused by laminitis. Howeveer, once the DP has rotated, the DDFT should become shorter, reducing the force it exerts on the DP. Objective: To compare DDFT force and ground reaction forces (GRFs) in normal ponies and ponies with rotation of the DP as a sequel to laminitis. Methods: Six normal ponies (Group 1) and 6 sound ponies with 6-13 degrees of rotation of the DP in relation to the dorsal hoof wall (Group 2) were assessed at t...
Beinlich CP, Nixon AJ.To clarify the diagnosis of avulsion of the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LPICL), correlate avulsion of this ligament with lameness, determine the prevalence of avulsion of the LPICL in a hospital population, and evaluate the response to surgical removal of the avulsion fragment in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 37 horses with avulsion of the LPICL. Methods: Medical records and radiographs of horses with avulsion of the LPICL were reviewed; follow-up information was obtained from race records and from owners via a telephone survey. Results: Of 6,418 horses evaluated for ...
Firth EC, Rogers CW, Perkins NR, Anderson BH, Grace ND.This is the first in a series of papers reporting studies in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses that aimed to determine the response of musculoskeletal tissues to early training on grass and sand racetracks. In this paper, the experimental set-up of the whole study is described, and nutritional, workload, and clinical, radiographic and pathological outcomes are reported, including semi-quantitative assessment of macroscopic changes in articular cartilage. Methods: The study group comprised 14 two-year-old Thoroughbred fillies reared entirely at pasture. Of these, seven were selected by a licen...
Rogers CW, Firth EC.To identify the magnitude and sources of error involved in simply quantifying the workload of a group of Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Methods: Data were obtained from seven 2-year-old fillies trained for 13 weeks on sand and grass tracks at various cantering velocities, and at the gallop in the last 4 weeks. Four fillies completed training and comprised a 'high exercise intensity' subgroup; three fillies did not complete all gallops due to lameness or injury and comprised a 'medium exercise intensity' subgroup. The trainer recorded the distance, time, track used, and subjective gait (S...
Erkert RS, MacAllister CG, Payton ME, Clarke CR.To use force plate analysis to evaluate the analgesic efficacies of flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone administered i.v. at typical clinical doses in horses with navicular syndrome. Methods: 12 horses with navicular syndrome that were otherwise clinically normal. Methods: Horses received flunixin (1.1 mg/kg), phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg), or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI; 1 mL/45 kg) solution administered IV once daily for 4 days with a 14-day washout period between treatments (3 treatments/horse). Before beginning treatment (baseline) and 6, 12, 24, and 30 hours after the fourth dose of each...
Thomason JJ, McClinchey HL, Faramarzi B, Jofriet JC.The horse's hoof is structurally modified for its mechanical functions, but studying the functional design of internal structures is hampered by the external keratinous capsule. Finite-element analysis offers one method for evaluating mechanical function of components within the capsule, such as the laminar junction. This is the epidermodermal connection that binds the hoof wall strongly to the distal phalanx. Primary epidermal laminae (PEL), projecting inward from the wall, vary in morphology and are remodeled despite being keratinous. The aim of this study is to investigate the suggestion th...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To describe and enumerate conditions that interrupted training and racing in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used to collect data on horses training under the care of 20 licensed racehorse trainers from venues in the mid to lower regions of the North Island between October 1997 and July 2000. Incidence rates were reported for first and second occurrences for different categories of musculoskeletal injury (MSI), and first occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract disease, using training days as time-at-risk. The proportion ...
Hu HH, MacAllister CG, Payton ME, Erkert RS.To compare analgesic effects of phenylbutazone administered at a dosage of 4.4 mg/kg/d (2 mg/lb/d) or 8.8 mg/kg/d (4 mg/lb/d) in horses with chronic lameness. Methods: Controlled crossover study. Animals-9 horses with chronic forelimb lameness. Methods: Horses were treated i.v. with phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg/d or 8.8 mg/kg/d) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution once daily for 4 days. All horses received all 3 treatments with a minimum of 14 days between treatments. Mean peak vertical force (mPVF) was measured and clinical lameness scores were assigned before initiation of each treatment and 6, 12, ...
Zubrod CJ, Farnsworth KD, Tucker RL, Ragle CA.We describe the clinical, imaging, and necropsy findings of two horses with severe injury of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint diagnosed using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In MR images it was possible to examine the collateral ligaments of the DIP joint from the origin at the middle phalanx to the insertion on the distal phalanx. Both horses in this report had abnormal high signal intensity within the collateral ligaments of the DIP joint, and one horse had abnormal high signal intensity within the bone of the distal phalanx on short tau inversion recovery ...
Bodo G, Hangody L, Modis L, Hurtig M.To describe treatment of equine subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) by reconstruction of the articular surface with osteochondral grafts. Methods: Case series of horses with SBCs unresponsive to conservative therapy. Methods: Eleven horses (1-12 years). Methods: SBCs were identified in 4 locations: medial femoral condyle (5 horses), lateral femoral condyle (1), distal epiphysis of the metacarpus (4), or metatarsus (1). Osteochondral autograft transplantation (mosaic arthroplasty) was performed, taking grafts from the abaxial border of the medial femoral trochlea of the unaffected limb. Graft implant...
Weishaupt MA, Wiestner T, Hogg HP, Jordan P, Auer JA.The compensatory mechanisms of horses with weightbearing hindlimb lameness are still not fully understood. Objective: That weightbearing, unilateral hindlimb lameness would not only alter stride characteristics to diminish structural stress in the affected limb but also induce compensatory load adjustments in the other supporting limbs. Objective: To document the load and time shifting mechanisms of horses with unilateral weightbearing hindlimb lameness. Methods: Reversible lameness was induced in 8 clinically sound horses by applying a solar pressure model. Three degrees of lameness (subtle, ...
Degueurce C, Chateau H, Denoix JM.Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disease is associated with poor hindlimb action, lameness and poor performance in horses. However, little is known about the biomechanics of this low-motion joint. Objective: To determine in vitro the capacities of movement of the SIJ in the sagittal plane, and to test the effect of a sacrosciatic and sacrotuberal desmotomy on its stabilisation. Methods: Six anatomical specimens underwent cycles of flexion-extension of the lumbosacral joint (LSJ) before and after desmotomy. Kinematic triads were linked rigidly to the sacrum, spinous process of vertebra L5 and iliac wing....
Licka T, Kapaun M, Peham C.Equine lameness is commonly evaluated when the horse is being ridden, but the influence of the rider on the lameness has not been documented. Objective: To document the effect of 2 riders of different training levels on the vertical movement of the head and croup. Methods: Twenty mature horses were ridden at trot by an experienced dressage rider and a novice rider, as well as trotted in hand. Kinematic measurements of markers placed on the horse's head and sacral bone were carried out. The asymmetries of the vertical head and sacral bone motion were calculated as lameness parameters and compar...
Ensink JM, Voermans M, Bartels JH, Passon-Vastenburgen MH, Loeb E.A 14-year-old Haflinger mare was presented with a wound on the right metatarsus which it had sustained 3 years earlier. The wound had never completely healed but had only recently become a problem. Over a period of several months, the wound became larger, produced a lot of exudate, and the horse became lame on the affected limb. Clinical examination and radiographs failed to reveal the cause of the deterioration. Histological evaluation of tissue removed during debridement of the wound revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Because the tumour had already invaded the bone, the prognosis was unfavour...
Bidwell LA, Brown KE, Cordier A, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM.Perineural analgesics are used for lameness diagnosis but the duration of effect, knowledge of which would provide valuable information when performing subsequent blocks, is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the duration of a palmar digital nerve block using force plate measurements. Methods: Ten horses diagnosed with unilateral navicular syndrome were trotted at range of 3 +/- 0.15 m/sec over a force plate to record ground reaction forces for 5 trials of each forelimb. Data were recorded before nerve block, and then at 15 mins, 1, 2 and 24 h post nerve block. Results: Before nerve block, peak v...
Khumsap S, Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM.Techniques for 3D analysis have recently been developed. This study applied 3D kinematic analysis to describe the effects of lameness in the distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints; complex joints such as this may show measurable amounts of movement outside the sagittal plane that may change in response to pathological conditions. Objective: Three-dimensional motions of the tarsal joint change after the induction of synovitis at the DIT and TMT joints. Methods: Twelve retroreflective markers, attached on the skin over the right limb, were used to develop 3D coordinate systems...
Rollot Y, Lecuyer E, Chateau H, Crevier-Denoix N.As critical locomotion events (e.g. high-speed and impacts during racing, jump landing) may contribute to tendinopathies, in vivo recording of gaits kinematic and dynamic parameters is essential for 3D reconstruction and analysis. Objective: To propose a 3D model of the forelimb and a ground reaction force recording shoe (GRF-S) for noninvasively quantifying tendon and ligament loads and strains. Methods: Bony segments trajectories of forelimbs placed under a power press were recorded using triads of ultrasonic kinematic markers linked to the bones. Compression cycles (from 500-6000 N) were ap...
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...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Denoix JM.Sharp turns are suspected to increase expression of several distal forelimb lamenesses even at the walk but the biomechanical consequences of such a movement remain unknown. Objective: To quantify the effects of a sharp turn at the walk on the 3-dimensional movements of the distal segments of the forelimb. Methods: Kinematics of the distal segments were measured in 4 healthy horses invasively with an ultrasonic system. Three-dimensional rotations of the digital joints were calculated by use of a joint coordinate system. Data obtained for a turn at the walk were compared to those obtained in a ...
Ekman S, Skiöldebrand E, Heinegård D, Hultenby K.One of the most common causes of lameness in racehorses is osteoarthritis (OA). Pathogenesis is not clear and pathological processes of the different joint tissues interact in often progressive events. The interface between cartilage and newly synthesised bone has been shown to be particularly enriched in bone sialoprotein (BSP), a cell-binding matrix protein. Objective: To establish whether changes in the concentration of BSP may serve as a marker for early biochemical changes of the subchondral bone. Methods: Articular cartilage, cartilage/bone interface and subchondral bone of the proximal ...
McGhee JD, White NA, Goodrich LR.To determine clinical and ultrasonographic abnormalities in horses with primary desmitis of the palmar or plantar annular ligament (PAL) and the response to treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 25 horses. Methods: Data collected from medical records included signalment, horse use, affected limb, severity and duration of lameness, results of diagnostic tests performed, ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Results: All horses had a prominent swelling in the region of the affected PAL, and signs of pain were evident during palpation of the swelling. In all horses, the a...
Johnson PJ, Slight SH, Ganjam VK, Kreeger JM.The administration of exogenously administered GCs and syndromes associated with GC excess are both attended by increased risk for the development of laminitis in adult horses. However, there exists substantial controversy as to whether excess GCs cause laminitis de novo. If true, the pathogenesis of laminitis arising from the effects of GC excess is probably different from that associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endotoxemia. Although a satisfactory explanation for the development of laminitis as a consequence of GC action is currently lacking, numerous possible and pla...
Johnson PJ.Certain management practices tend to promote the development of obesity (metabolic syndrome) in mature horses as they enter their teenage years. These management practices include the provision of starch-rich (high glycemic index) and fat-supplemented rations to healthy horses that are relatively inactive. Some horse breeds and ponies appear to be genetically predisposed to metabolic syndrome. The accretion of intra-abdominal adiposity by equids is associated with the development of insulin insensitivity (hyperinsulinemia), glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insidious-onset l...
Waguespack RW, Cochran A, Belknap JK.To compare the levels of mRNA expression of cycooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in the digital laminae of normal horses and horses in the developmental stages of laminitis experimentally induced by administration of black walnut extract (BWE). Methods: Samples of mRNA extracted from the digital laminae of 5 control horses and 5 horses at the onset of leukopenia after administration of BWE. Methods: Specimens of laminae were collected from anesthetized horses prior to euthanasia. Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in laminae of control and affected horses was evaluated via real-time quantitative po...
Skiöldebrand E, Heinegård D, Eloranta ML, Nilsson G, Dudhia J, Sandgren B, Ekman S.The aim of the present study was to correlate the levels of COMP and aggrecan as indicators of tissue damage, in synovial fluid (sf) from carpal joints of acutely lame racehorses, with macroscopical lesions of articular cartilage (OA), osteochondral fractures and ligament tears found at arthroscopy. Sixty-three lame horses [49 Standardbred trotters (STB) and 14 Thoroughbreds (TB)] in conventional training and racing that underwent arthroscopy of their middle carpal or radiocarpal joints were included in the study. Intact as well as fragmented COMP and aggrecan released into the synovial fluid ...
Fuller CJ, Bladon BM, Driver AJ, Barr AR.The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of lameness scoring in horses. One veterinary surgeon examined nineteen lame horses on four occasions. Gait was recorded by camcorder, and scored from 0 to 10 ranging from sound to non-weight bearing lameness. A global score of overall change in lameness during the study was also determined for each horse. To measure intra-assessor reliability of the scoring systems, one veterinary surgeon scored videotapes of the horses' gaits on two occasions. To measure inter-assessor reliability, three veterinary surgeons viewed the videotapes, assi...
Halling Thomsen M, Tolver Jensen A, Sørensen H, Lindegaard C, Haubro Andersen P.Detection and quantification of lameness in horses consists primarily of a subjective assessment, whereby both intra- and inter-observer disagreements exist, especially with low grade lameness. Therefore, clinically applicable methods are needed for reliable, objective assessments. The aim of this study was to describe three symmetry indices derived from a simple accelerometric method and investigate these in sound trotting horses. The indices describe the overall symmetry of the gait, the symmetry of loads placed on the limbs and the symmetry in timing between left and right steps. These symm...
Underwood C, Collins SN, van Eps AW, Mills PC, Allavena RE, Bailey SR, Medina Torres CE, Meizler A, Pollitt CC.No validated laminitis drug therapy exists, yet pharmaceutical agents with potential for laminitis prevention have been identified. Many of these are impractical for systemic administration but may be effective if administered locally. This study compared intraosseous infusion of the distal phalanx (IOIDP) with systemic intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) to determine which was more effective for lamellar marimastat delivery. Ultrafiltration probes were placed in both forefeet of five horses to collect lamellar interstitial fluid as lamellar ultrafiltrate (LUF). Marimastat solution (3.5â€...
Mirra A, Klopfenstein Bregger MD, Levionnois OL.A 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding was presented to the equine referral hospital for treatment of a left guttural pouch mycosis previously diagnosed. After induction, the horse was shortly hoisted by all four feet, moved on a padded surgical table, and positioned in right lateral recumbency. In order to reduce the risk of bleeding during surgical manipulation of the carotid and maxillary arteries, a mean arterial pressure between 60 and 70 mmHg was targeted. After surgery, the horse was moved in a padded recovery box keeping the same lateral recumbency. Four unsuccessful attempts were perf...
Hand DR, Watkins JP, Honnas CM, Kemper D.To determine outcome of horses with osteomyelitis of the sustentaculum tali (ST), with or without associated tarsal sheath tenosynovitis, following surgical debridement and lavage. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses in which a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the ST had been made on the basis of history, physical examination findings, and results of radiography. Methods: Information on results of diagnostic testing, surgical findings, postoperative treatment, and short-term outcome was obtained from the medical records. Long-term follow-up information was obtained through reevaluati...
Butson RJ, Schramme MC, Garlick MH, Davies JV.Gentamicin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were used in the treatment of infective synovitis in 12 horses and 10 cattle. They had either proved refractory to standard treatments (lavage, debridement, joint drainage and systemic antibiotics) or had evidence of osteomyelitis adjacent to a synovial cavity. All the animals were severely lame. All the cattle and six of the horses had radiological evidence of osteomyelitis in communication with a synovial cavity. The beads were placed intrasynovially under general anaesthesia and left in place for 14 days. One horse and one calf were euthan...
Chapman HS, Richardson DW, Ortved KF.To describe arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint with a locking compression plate (LCP) and a metallic tension band and report the outcome of horses treated for osteoarthritis (OA) with this technique. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Seventeen horses with OA of the MCP or MTP joint treated with arthrodesis. Methods: Medical records (2004-2017) of horses treated for OA with arthrodesis of the MCP or MTP joint with an LCP and metallic tension band were reviewed. Preoperative variables included age, sex, breed, affected limb, and lameness gr...
Marsh CA, Watkins JP, Schneider RK.To describe partial removal of the intrathecal component of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses with chronic septic DDF tendonitis and tenosynovitis unresponsive to conventional therapy, and to report long-term outcome. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=4). Methods: Four horses with chronic septic DDF tendonitis and tenosynovitis were treated by surgical tenectomy of the intrathecal component of the DDFT, followed by stabilization in casts and subsequent corrective shoeing. All horses were previously managed unsuccessfully with combinations of conventional therapy consisting...
Zetterström SM, Boone LH, Farag R, Weimar WH, Caldwell FJ.To evaluate a double hemitenotomy (DHT) technique as an alternative to complete deep digital flexor (DDFT) tenotomy. Methods: Experimental ex vivo study. Methods: Isolated DDFTs (n = 30) and cadaveric forelimbs (n = 16). Methods: In part 1, 15 isolated DDFT pairs were used. Two hemitenotomies were created in 1 DDFT while the other served as reference. Monotonic tensile load was applied. Tendon lengthening, load reduction, and load at failure were recorded. In part 2, 16 cadaveric forelimb pairs were subjected to DHT followed by complete tenotomy (CT) under monotonic compressive load. Diffe...
Leadbeater JC, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Brown JA.A 13-year-old Morgan gelding was examined for right forelimb lameness and tenosynovitis of the right common carpal sheath of the digital flexor tendons. The horse had moderate right forelimb lameness at the trot and marked effusion of the right common carpal sheath of the digital flexor tendons. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a soft tissue mass within the proximal pouch of the affected tendon sheath, located adjacent to the distal physis of the radius. Cytology and culture of the fluid revealed a sterile, eosinophilic tenosynovitis. Tenoscopic exploration confirmed the presence of a cap...
Oosterlinck M, Gasthuys F, Back W, Pille F.There is ethical debate on the use of ponies for carousel rides at city fairs, as these animals may develop progressive locomotor asymmetry during their career. To investigate this issue, 21 ponies used for carousel rides were walked and trotted over a pressure plate system. Non-directional symmetry ratios and directional asymmetry indices of forelimb peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), stance time (ST) and hoof contact area (CA) were calculated and compared to reference data. In both the carousel and reference groups, most ponies presented higher loading of the right forelimb at...
Visser MB, Pollitt CC.The basement membrane (BM) is a thin layer of extracellular matrix that regulates cell functions as well as providing support to tissues of the body. Primary components of the BM of epithelial tissues are laminin-332 (Ln-332) and collagen type IV. Equine laminitis is a disease characterized by destruction and dislocation of the hoof lamellar BM. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the distribution of Ln-332 and collagen type IV in the organs of normal horses and these proteins were found to be widespread. Analysis of a panel of tissue samples from horses with experimentally-induced l...
Ekfalck A, Funkquist B, Jones B, Obel N.An in vitro method has been designed and used to study the incorporation of 75Se-cystine into matrix fragments from hooves and claws of healthy horses and cattle. Tissue fragments from the zone of keratinisation were incubated with L-75Se-cystine in a tissue culture medium for 4 to 6 h, during which time there was continuous incorporation of the labelled selenocystine. The incorporation was greatly decreased by adding L-cystine to the incubation mixture. It is concluded that the incorporation of 75Se-cystine depends on the presence of a specific receptor for cystine in the tissue fragments stu...
Rooney JR.Sacroiliac arthrosis is a major cause of "hiking" lameness (often, so-called "stifle lameness") in Standardbred horses. The cause of this arthrosis is found in the moment forces generated as horses negotiate unbanked and underbanked turns and in the forces generated on cambered racing surfaces. The prediction is that such lameness could be virtually eliminated if racetrack and training track turns were properly banked and camber held to a minimum.
Mizobe F, Nomura M, Kato T, Nambo Y, Yamada K.Problems associated with the proximal metacarpal region, such as an osseous injury associated with tearing of Sharpey's fibers or an avulsion fracture of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OISL), are important causes of lameness in racehorses. In the present study, four Thoroughbred racehorses (age range, 2-4 years) were diagnosed as having forelimb OISL and assessed over time by using standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). At the first sMRI examination, all horses had 3 characteristic findings, including low signal intensity within the trabecular bone of the third metacarpus on T1-we...
Keegan KG, Wilson DA, Lattimer JC, Twardock AR, Ellersieck MR.To evaluate distribution and intensity of 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) uptake in the navicular area in horses with forelimb lameness isolated to the palmar aspect of the foot. Methods: Prospective, case-controlled study. Methods: 7 horses with clinical signs of navicular syndrome and 7 control horses. Methods: Palmar view, soft tissue-phase scintigraphic images of the foot were obtained between 7 and 12 minutes after injection of 120 to 170 mCi of 99mTc-MDP. Lateral and palmar view, bone-phase images were obtained at 30 minutes and 1, 2, and 4 hours after injection. Palmar views w...
Back W, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR, van den Bogert AJ.Gait analysis plays a major role in the clinical evaluation of equine lameness. It is generally accepted that the clinician expresses the grade of lameness as a subjective score. In this study lameness was objectively assessed using a standardized transient lameness model, in which lameness was induced by intra-articular injection of bacterial endotoxin into the radiocarpal joint of ponies. Lameness was scored by an experienced clinician, and locomotion was recorded simultaneously using a CODA-3 apparatus. The obtained kinematic gait parameters correlated well with the clinical lameness score ...
Nixon AJ.An arthroscopic technique for examination and surgical treatment of conditions of the shoulder joint was evaluated in eight normal horses and two horses with osteochondrosis lesions. A single arthroscope entry point caudal to the infraspinatus tendon allowed inspection of the cranial, lateral, and caudal surfaces of the shoulder joint. With the humeral head and glenoid cavity distracted by a curved forceps, the entire cartilage surface of the shoulder could be examined. The caudomedial portion of the humeral head was seen better with a 70 degree angled arthroscope. Instruments for intra-articu...
Keg PR, van den Belt AJ, Merkens HW, Barneveld A, Dik KJ.The influence of regional nerve blocks on lameness resulting from tendon injury was studied in six horses. Tendonitis was induced in the midmetacarpal region of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDF), Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDF) and the Suspensory Ligament (SL) through collagenase injections. The results were evaluated through sequential clinical examinations, ultrasonographic imaging and kinetic gait analysis (force plate) during a period of 144 days post injury and subsequently compared with gross and microscopic findings. The lameness corresponding to the SDF and DDF tendon lesion...
Mirra A, Birras J, Diez Bernal S, Spadavecchia C.Epidural administration of morphine has been shown to be an effective analgesic strategy in horses; however, the possible occurrence of side effects limits its usage. In order to decrease their frequency, it is important to target the minimal effective plasma concentration and avoid overdosing. As to date species-specific pharmacokinetics data are not available for epidural morphine, the dosing regimen is usually established on the basis of clinical reports and personal experience. In certain physiological conditions, like gestation, the outcome of an empirical dosing scheme can be unpredictab...
Moore RM, Schneider RK.Arthroscopy was performed in 1 carpal joint unilaterally in 27 horses and either in 2 carpal joints unilaterally or 1 carpal joint bilaterally in 7 horses. All horses were lame, but the cause of lameness could not be determined from radiographs. Twenty-seven carpi did not have radiographically visible abnormalities; the remaining 14 had only mild to moderate lucency or sclerosis of the radial facet of the third carpal bone. The primary abnormalities identified during arthroscopy included a crush fracture of the third carpal bone (7 carpi), an incomplete fracture of the third carpal bone in the...
Trout DR, Hornof WJ, Linford RL, O'Brien TR.Scintigraphy was used to evaluate digital circulation at 24 h intervals in 11 control horses and in nine horses affected with acute laminitis created by administration of a high-starch ration. Following intra-arterial injection of technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin into the brachiocephalic trunk, static images were acquired of the right front foot. Dynamic radionuclide angiograms and static blood pool images were also obtained after jugular vein injection of technetium-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid. These procedures were performed on standing horses, using either minimal or no tr...
Robinson NE, Scott JB, Dabney JM, Jones GA.Digital vascular pressures, blood flow, and vascular resistances were measured in 11 control ponies and in 8 animals (7 ponies and 1 horse) affected with laminitis created by feeding a high starch ration. Animals with laminitis had increased digital blood flow, increased arterial, small vein, and large vein pressures, and decreased vascular resistances. Comparison of digital lymph flow rates and protein concentrations in animals with laminitis and control animals revealed no differences. Digital vascular responses of the 2 groups to acetylcholine, epinephrine, histamine, or serotonin also did ...
Zamos DT, Parks AH.Medical records of 22 horses with humeral fractures were reviewed. The horses were from 2 to 144 months old (mean, 25.8 +/- 37.3 months). Ten horses were treated with stall confinement, 3 were treated surgically, and 9 were euthanatized at the time of diagnosis. Seven of 10 horses treated nonsurgically (stall confinement) were able to be ridden 5 to 12 months after the diagnosis was made (mean, 7.5 +/- 2.6 months). One horse treated nonsurgically was euthanatized 6 months after diagnosis because of laminitis in the contralateral limb. Two horses treated nonsurgically were lost to follow-up eva...
Barber MJ, Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Baszler T, Tucker RL.A 5-year-old Appaloosa mare was examined for severe left forelimb lameness of 4 months' duration. Results: Lameness was evident at the walk and trot and was exacerbated when the horse circled to the left. Signs of pain were elicited in response to hoof testers placed over the frog of the left front hoof, and a palmar digital nerve block eliminated the lameness. Radiographs revealed no abnormalities, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased bone density in the medullary cavity of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone in the proton density and T2-weighted images and a defect in the...
Dolvik NI, Gaustad G.The degree of lameness of 265 randomly selected three-year-old standardbred trotters was assessed on a fixed point scale with 0 indicating soundness and 5 indicating that the animals were not weightbearing. Two variables were used to describe the signs of lameness; one was the continuous variable: the sum of the initial lameness score and the lameness scores after separate flexion tests of the carpal, stifle/tarsal and phalangeal joints and the second was the bivariate variable; the ratio of lame/sound horses. The mean (sd) heritability of the continuous variable was estimated to be 0.25 (0.21...
Eastman TG, Honnas CM, Hague BA, Moyer W, von der Rosen HD.To determine long-term prognosis for horses with laminitis treated by deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy and to identify factors affecting success of the surgical procedure. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 35 horses with laminitis treated by DDF tenotomy between 1988 and 1997. Methods: Information was obtained from individual medical records and follow-up telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Cumulative proportions of horses that survived 6 months and 2 years after tenotomy were determined. Effect of Obel grade of lameness on 6-month and 2-year survival and effec...
Ruggles AJ, Moore RM, Bertone AL, Schneider RK, Bailey MQ.To determine clinical signs, radiographic and scintigraphic findings, and performance outcome of racing Standardbreds with tibial stress fractures. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 13 racing Standardbreds with tibial stress fractures. Methods: Information concerning clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation, and recommendations was obtained by review of the medical records. Performance information before and after diagnosis of the fracture was collected from racing records, and follow-up information was obtained from the owners or trainers by use of a telephone questionnaire. Results: ...
Ross MW, Martin BB.Seven Standardbred horses, all pacers, with a mean age of 2.9 years (range, 2 to 4 years), had dorsomedial articular fracture of the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal bone. Fracture caused acute, unilateral, severe lameness after training or racing. Lameness was abolished by midcarpal joint anesthesia in 4 horses. Six horses had a palpable bony swelling, which caused signs of pain. Radiography revealed a nondisplaced, articular, oblique fracture extending distad toward the dorsomedial cortex for a mean distance of 28 mm (range, 15 to 40 mm). In all horses, chronic periosteal proliferativ...
