Lameness

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of infection and associated risk factors, after elective arthroscopy.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case study.

ANIMALS: Horses (n=1079) undergoing elective arthroscopy.

CASE DESCRIPTION: 4 horses were examined because of signs of chronic hind limb lameness.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: 3 horses had a history of lameness for > 6 months; specific duration was unknown for 1 horse. On initial evaluation, grade 3 to 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5) hind limb lameness was present in all 4 horses. Radiography of the stifle joint of the affected limb revealed medial femoral condyle subchondral lucencies or subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in all 4 horses, medial femorotibial osteoarthritis in 3 horses, and medial tibial condyle SCLs in 3 horses.

Category: Bone - Epidemiology - Equine - Lameness

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and describe the compensatory load redistribution that results from unilateral hind limb lameness in horses.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS: 37 client-owned horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There are no reports on the configuration of equine central tarsal bone fractures based on cross-sectional imaging and clinical and radiographic long-term outcome after internal fixation.

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical, radiographic and computed tomographic findings of equine central tarsal bone fractures and to evaluate the long-term outcome of internal fixation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Sesamoiditis is a common radiological finding in yearling Thoroughbreds. The condition is believed to be associated with suspensory ligament branch injury (SLBI), which is known to affect racing performance. The presence of subclinical suspensory ligament branch change (SSLBC) in untrained yearlings has not been investigated. Associations between sesamoiditis, SSLBC and subsequent SLBI would allow more accurate prognoses to be made regarding the development of SLBI. They could also provide opportunity for intervention and prevention of SLBI.

Category: Equine - Imaging - Lameness - Ligament

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between inertial sensor and stationary force plate measurements of hind limb lameness in horses. ANIMALS 21 adult horses with no lameness or with mild hind limb lameness.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical evaluation of a novel screw position used for repair in a type III distal phalanx fracture model and assessment of solar canal penetration (SCP).

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study.

SAMPLE POPULATION: Disarticulated equine hooves (n = 24) and 24 isolated distal phalanges.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to quantify by accelerometry the trotting pattern of adult horses sedated with two different doses of acepromazine, in order to assess the use of this drug in equine lameness evaluations.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Injection of the navicular bursa is commonly performed from the palmar aspect of the limb, which results in penetration of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).

OBJECTIVES: To report a radiographic guided injection from the lateral aspect of the limb that avoids puncture of the DDFT and to assess synovial and soft tissue penetration by the needle.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical and cadaveric study.

Category: Equine - Lameness

This study aimed to quantify the compensatory response to naturally-occurring forelimb lameness on load redistribution. Data from lameness investigations using an inertial sensor based system to monitor the response to forelimb diagnostic anaesthesia were reviewed. Horses with primary forelimb lameness were grouped for analysis as (1) all horses combined (n= 28), (2) forelimb-only lameness (n= 8/28), (3) forelimb-contralateral hindlimb lameness (n= 14/28), (4) forelimb-ipsilateral hindlimb lameness (n= 6/28).