Standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with chronic foot pain.

The study examines the use of standing low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to diagnose chronic foot pain in horses. It found that such technique can effectively identify a wide range of foot lesions causing lameness without needing to anesthetize the animal.

Methodology

• The researchers used a standing low-field MRI to diagnose chronic foot pain in 79 horses exhibiting unilateral or bilateral forelimb lameness.
• The use of standing MRI eliminated the need for general anesthesia which is typically employed during conventional imaging procedures.

Results

• The study found that out of the 79 horses, 74 (or 94%) showed alterations in more than one structure in the lame or lamest foot, indicating the presence of foot lesions.
• Among observed horses, navicular bone lesions (78%) were the most common, followed by navicular bursitis (57%), deep digital flexor tendonopathies (54%), and collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint (39%).
• Evidence of effusion, or swelling, in the distal interphalangeal joint was also frequently observed, occurring in 53% of the horses.

Conclusion

• This research argues that standing low-field MRI is a powerful tool for diagnosing various foot lesions in horses which cause chronic lameness.
• The method offers significant advantages as it allows for detection of multiple lesions and does not require the use of general anesthesia, making it more convenient and less stressful for the animals.