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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Relationship between hind limb lameness and radiographic sig...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica1998; 39(3); 349-357; doi: 10.1186/BF03547783

Relationship between hind limb lameness and radiographic signs of bone spavin in Icelandic horses in Sweden.

Abstract: A field study was designed to estimate the prevalence of hind limb lameness in a population of Icelandic horses in Sweden. All available Icelandic horses at 11 different farms within 150 km from Uppsala were examined once during a study period of 13 months. The relationship between hind limb lameness and radiographic signs of bone spavin (RSBS) was investigated. The rate of agreement between the outcome after palpation, motion evaluation and flexion test and radiographic examination was established. A total of 379 horses including 238 geldings, 125 mares and 16 stallions, with mean age 8.1 years (range 1-19 years) were examined by palpation of the medial aspect of the tarsal joints, motion evaluation and flexion test of the hind limbs. One dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique radiographic view was recorded from each tarsus. Palpable abnormalities were found in 118 horses (31%). Forty-three horses (12%) were lame at presentation, 94 horses (25%) were positive on flexion test and 88 horses (23%) had RSBS. There was a significant relationship between palpable abnormalities, lameness, positive flexion test and RSBS. The proportion of joints with RSBS increased with increasing severity of physical findings. The proportion of lame limbs increased with increasing radiographic changes. The presence of palpable findings or positive flexion test was not influenced by the grading of radiographic changes. Using palpation, motion evaluation, and flexion test 75% of the horses with RSBS were identified. The rate of agreement between the clinical examination and the radiographic examination was 73%.
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Publication Date: 1998-10-27 PubMed ID: 9787498PubMed Central: PMC8050647DOI: 10.1186/BF03547783Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study explores the relationship between hind limb lameness and signs of ‘bone spavin’ – a type of joint disease in horses – among the population of Icelandic horses in Sweden.

Research Methods

  • The researchers conducted a field study on Icelandic horses from 11 different farms within 150 km radius of Uppsala over a 13-month period.
  • A total of 379 horses of different categories – 238 geldings, 125 mares, and 16 stallions – aged between 1 to 19 years were examined.
  • Each horse underwent a physical examination which included palpation of the medial aspect of the tarsal joints, motion evaluation, and a flexion test of the hind limbs.
  • The researchers also performed radiographic examinations, capturing one dorsolateral-plantaromedial oblique view from each tarsus (joint).

Findings

  • Palpable abnormalities were identified in 118 horses, representing 31% of the population under study.
  • Forty-three horses (12%) were found to be lame at the time of the presentation.
  • Following the flexion tests, 94 horses (25%) showed positive results.
  • The presence of Radiographic Signs of Bone Spavin (RSBS) was observed in 88 horses (23%).
  • The study identified a significant relationship between palpable abnormalities, lameness, positive flexion test, and RSBS.
  • There was an increase in the number of joints with RSBS with increasing severity of physical findings.
  • Similarly, the number of lame limbs increased with the severity of radiographic changes.
  • The radiographic changes however did not influence the presence of palpable findings or the flexion test results.
  • Using palpation, motion evaluation, and the flexion test, the researchers were able to identify 75% of the horses with RSBS.
  • The overall agreement rate between the results of the clinical examination and the radiographic examination was found to be 73%.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the research suggests a clear correlation between hind limb lameness and RSBS among Icelandic horses in Sweden.
  • The researchers also note that physical examination methods can offer a substantial accuracy in diagnosing RSBS, and therefore could play a crucial role in early detection and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Axelsson M, Eksell P, Ronéus B, Broström H, Häggström J, Carlsten J. (1998). Relationship between hind limb lameness and radiographic signs of bone spavin in Icelandic horses in Sweden. Acta Vet Scand, 39(3), 349-357. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547783

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: 349-357

Researcher Affiliations

Axelsson, M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Mats.Axelsson@kirmed.slu.se
Eksell, P
    Ronéus, B
      Broström, H
        Häggström, J
          Carlsten, J

            MeSH Terms

            • Age Factors
            • Animals
            • Bone Diseases / diagnostic imaging
            • Bone Diseases / epidemiology
            • Bone Diseases / physiopathology
            • Bone Diseases / veterinary
            • Female
            • Gait / physiology
            • Hindlimb / diagnostic imaging
            • Hindlimb / physiopathology
            • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
            • Horses
            • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
            • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
            • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
            • Male
            • Palpation / veterinary
            • Pliability
            • Prevalence
            • Radiography
            • Regression Analysis
            • Sweden / epidemiology
            • Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
            • Tarsus, Animal / physiopathology

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 0 times.
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