NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 2

Question 1

A horse presents with a positive flexion test of the distal limb and lameness that is abolished by a palmar digital nerve block. Which structure is MOST likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Navicular bone or navicular bursa

Answer

A palmar digital nerve block desensitizes the navicular region, and a positive distal limb flexion test implicates the navicular apparatus as the primary source of pain.

Question 2

Which radiographic view is MOST useful for evaluating the flexor cortex of the navicular bone for lollipop lesions in a horse?

Accepted Answer

Flexor tangential (skyline) view

Answer

The flexor tangential (skyline) view projects the flexor cortex of the navicular bone en face, allowing visualization of corticomedullary defects and lollipop lesions.

Question 3

A 10-year-old Warmblood shows grade 3/5 forelimb lameness that worsens on the lunge circle with the affected limb on the inside. Lameness is abolished by an abaxial sesamoid nerve block. The NEXT most appropriate diagnostic step is:

Accepted Answer

Intra-articular anesthesia of the fetlock joint

Answer

After an abaxial sesamoid block confirms pain distal to the fetlock, intra-articular anesthesia of the fetlock joint helps differentiate fetlock joint pathology from other sources in that region.

Question 4

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in horses most commonly affects which joint when presenting as tarsal lameness in young Thoroughbreds?

Accepted Answer

Tarsocrural (tibiotarsal) joint

Answer

OCD most commonly affects the tarsocrural joint in horses, particularly the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia and the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus.

Question 5

When performing a high plantar nerve block (high 2-point block) in the horse, the targeted nerves are located:

Accepted Answer

Midway up the cannon bone, abaxial to the suspensory ligament

Answer

The high plantar (high 2-point) block is performed midway up the cannon bone, anesthetizing the medial and lateral plantar nerves abaxial to the suspensory ligament.

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE Equine Lameness and Diagnostics 2