Equine Lameness and Diagnostics Flashcards

A horse with forelimb lameness has a positive response to hoof testers over the medial heel region. After palmar digital nerve block the lameness is only partially improved. The MOST appropriate next step is:

Answer: Perform an intra-articular coffin joint block

When a palmar digital block provides only partial improvement, an intra-articular coffin joint block helps determine whether the DIP joint is contributing to the residual lameness.

Equine degenerative joint disease of the proximal interphalangeal joint (high ringbone) is BEST confirmed with:

Answer: Lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographs of the pastern

High ringbone (periarticular or articular osteoarthritis of the PIP joint) is diagnosed radiographically, with lateromedial and dorsopalmar views demonstrating periarticular osteophytes and joint space narrowing.

Which perineural block is required to desensitize the entire foot including the coronary band?

Answer: Abaxial sesamoid nerve block

An abaxial sesamoid nerve block desensitizes the entire foot including the coronary band by blocking the medial and lateral palmar digital nerves at the level of the proximal sesamoid bones.

A 5-year-old event horse has hindlimb lameness localized to the sacroiliac region by positive pressure on the tuber sacrale and a positive response to gluteal muscle palpation. The BEST imaging modality for confirming sacroiliac pathology is:

Answer: Nuclear scintigraphy or ultrasound of the sacroiliac joint

The sacroiliac joint is difficult to image radiographically due to its deep location; nuclear scintigraphy and transrectal or transcutaneous ultrasound are the most effective modalities for evaluating this region.

Intra-articular injection of which substance is used as a visco-supplementation therapy to improve synovial fluid quality in horses with joint disease?

Answer: Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)

Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) is injected intra-articularly to restore viscosity and lubrication of synovial fluid, acting as visco-supplementation in arthritic joints.

A warmblood dressage horse presents with bilateral hindlimb toe-dragging and a shuffling gait. Neurological examination reveals hindlimb ataxia. The MOST important differential diagnosis to rule out first is:

Answer: Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (Wobbler syndrome)

Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (Wobbler syndrome) causes compressive spinal cord disease manifesting as hindlimb ataxia and toe-dragging and must be differentiated from primary joint lameness.

During a pre-purchase examination, you find a 4/5 grade on the AAEP lameness scale in the right forelimb. According to the AAEP scale, this means the horse:

Answer: Lame at the walk, occasionally non-weight-bearing

AAEP grade 4/5 describes a horse that is lame at the walk and consistently lame at the trot, occasionally non-weight-bearing; grade 5 is non-weight-bearing at all times.