Which anatomical region determines a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse?
Abstract: The flexion test is used routinely as part of lameness and prepurchase examinations. However, little is known about the mechanisms that cause a positive response to a flexion test. Objective: To determine which anatomical regions play a role in a positive outcome of a flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Methods: Eight clinically sound Dutch Warmblood horses were subjected to a standardised flexion test (force 250 N, time 60 s) inducing a consistent lameness. To discriminate between different areas of the distal aspect of a forelimb, effects of various nerve blocks on the outcome of the flexion test were investigated. Low palmar digital, palmar at the abaxial aspects of the base of the proximal sesamoids, high palmar, ulnar and low 4-point nerve blocks were performed. Flexion test induced lameness was scored before and after each nerve block in separate sessions. Results: The low palmar digital nerve blocks and nerve blocks of the palmar nerves at the abaxial aspect of the base of the proximal sesamoid bones had no significant effect on the flexion test induced lameness score. The ulnar, high palmar and, most dramatically, the low 4-point nerve blocks all caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the flexion test induced lameness score. Conclusions: Anatomical structures (soft tissue nor synovial structures) located distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute only minimally to the outcome of a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a clinically nonlame horse. The structures in the region of, and including, the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute most to a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Conclusions: The flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb may be sensitive for investigating the metacarpophalangeal joint region in horses free from lameness, but may be less relevant for structures distal to this region.
Publication Date: 2010-08-19 PubMed ID: 20716196DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00075.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Anatomy
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Horses
- Lameness
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Musculoskeletal System
- Nerves
- Pain Management
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Warmblood Horses
Summary
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This study examined which anatomical regions contribute to a positive outcome in a flexion test of a horse’s forelimb. The research found that the metacarpophalangeal joint region largely influences a positive flexion test, whereas structures distal to this area contribute less.
Objective and Method
- The study focused on understanding which anatomical areas are crucial for a positive response in a forelimb flexion test, which is commonly used in detecting lameness in horses or as part of their prepurchase examinations.
- Eight clinically sound Dutch Warmblood horses were subjected to a standardized flexion test. Various nerve blocks were employed to isolate the effects of different regions of the distal aspect of a forelimb.
- Several types of nerve blocks were tested, namely low palmar digital, palmar at the abaxial aspects of the base of the proximal sesamoids, high palmar, ulnar, and low 4-point nerve blocks.
Results
- No significant impact was observed on the lameness score induced by the flexion test from the low palmar digital nerve blocks and the nerve blocks of the palmar nerves at the abaxial aspect of the base of the proximal sesamoid bones.
- Meanwhile, the high palmar, ulnar, and notably, the low 4-point nerve blocks significantly reduced the lameness score.
Conclusions
- According to the study’s findings, anatomical structures located distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint contribute minimally to the outcome of a positive distal flexion test in a clinically non-lame horse. It’s the region of the metacarpophalangeal joint, and including this joint, that seems to contribute most to a positive flexion test.
- The flexion test of the distal aspect of a non-lame horse’s forelimb, according to the research, might be effective for investigating the metacarpophalangeal joint region, but it may be less significant for structures distal to this region.
Cite This Article
APA
Kearney CM, van Weeren PR, Cornelissen BP, den Boon P, Brama PA.
(2010).
Which anatomical region determines a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse?
Equine Vet J, 42(6), 547-551.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00075.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Clinical Studies, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland. clodagh.kearney@ucd.ie
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Nerve Block / veterinary
- Physical Examination / veterinary
- Range of Motion, Articular
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Guidoni K, Chiaradia E, Pepe M, Di Meo A, Tognoloni A, Seccaroni M, Beccati F. The Combined Use of Triamcinolone and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Equine Metacarpophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis Treatments: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 17;14(24).
- Grosjean D, De Bakker E, Mugnier A, Forterre F, Saunders J, Van Ryssen B, Samoy YCA. Effect of dog-related parameters on the flexion test outcome: A large cohort retrospective study on physiological and orthopedic pathological-related factors. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1064795.
- Niemelä TM, Tulamo RM, Hielm-Björkman AK. A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study on intra-articular hyaluronan treatment in equine lameness originating from the metacarpophalangeal joint. BMC Vet Res 2016 Mar 23;12:60.
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