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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice1991; 7(2); 311-338; doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30502-3

Thermography as an aid to the clinical lameness evaluation.

Abstract: Thermography has been shown to be a practical aid in the clinical evaluation of lameness. This modality specifically increases the accuracy of diagnosis. Thermography represents skin temperature, usually pictorially. The techniques involve contacting and noncontacting modalities. Noncontacting thermography, which detects infrared radiation, is the most accurate. In order to be accurate, thermography must be performed in a temperature-controlled, draft-free area. The area should be protected from sunlight to avoid erroneous heating of the skin, and the hair length should be uniform. Thermography detects heat before it is perceptible during routine physical examination; therefore, it is useful for early detection of laminitis, stress fractures, and tendinitis. It offers a noninvasive means of evaluating the blood supply to an injured part and offers one of the only reliable means to evaluate blood flow to the foot of horses with navicular syndrome. Thermography also is useful for the early identification of stress injuries to the contralateral limb of convalescing orthopedic patients. Thermography is an excellent adjunct to clinical and radiographic examination. It is complementary to other imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and scintigraphy.
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Publication Date: 1991-08-01 PubMed ID: 1933566DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30502-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study explored the use of thermography, a method that measures skin temperature, to improve the diagnosis of lameness in animals. The technology was found to be particularly effective when used in a controlled, optimal environment and offers a noninvasive way to evaluate blood flow to injured parts of an animal’s body.

Understanding Thermography

  • Thermography is a technique that measures skin temperature, usually in a pictorial form.
  • This study found that it can be a useful aid in the clinical evaluation of lameness in animals, particularly in increasing the accuracy of diagnosis.
  • There are two types of thermography techniques: contacting and noncontacting. Noncontacting thermography, which detects infrared radiation, is the most accurate.
  • For optimal results, thermography should be performed in a temperature-controlled, draft-free area away from direct sunlight, and the hair length of the animal should be uniform.

Benefits of Using Thermography

  • Thermography can detect heat before it is noticeable during a routine physical examination, making it useful for early detection of conditions like laminitis, stress fractures, and tendinitis.
  • It is a noninvasive method of evaluating the blood supply to an injured part of an animal’s body. This makes it particularly valuable for assessing blood flow to the foot of horses with navicular syndrome, a common condition causing lameness.
  • It is also helpful for early identification of stress injuries to the contralateral limb (the limb on the opposite side of the body) in orthopedic patients recovering from surgery or injury.

Complementing Other Medical Techniques

  • Thermography is a valuable addition to standard clinical examinations and X-rays, enhancing the ability of veterinarians to accurately diagnose conditions causing lameness.
  • It complements other imaging techniques, like ultrasonography and scintigraphy, and can be used concurrently with these to provide a more comprehensive view of an animal’s health and underlying issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Turner TA. (1991). Thermography as an aid to the clinical lameness evaluation. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 7(2), 311-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30502-3

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 0749-0739
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Pages: 311-338

Researcher Affiliations

Turner, T A
  • Sports Medicine, Rochester Equine Clinic, New Hampshire.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Thermography / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
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