Brooks study guide

Question 1

What is a key musculoskeletal effect of prolonged stall rest on bone?

Answer 1

It causes decreased bone density, a condition known as disuse osteopenia.

Question 2

Prolonged stall rest leads to muscle atrophy, particularly affecting which types of muscles?

Answer 2

It primarily affects the postural and stabilizing muscles.

Question 3

How does prolonged stall rest negatively impact joint cartilage nutrition?

Answer 3

It reduces cyclic loading, which is necessary for proper joint cartilage nutrition.

Question 4

Stabling can cause increased collagen cross-linking in soft tissues, leading to what two conditions?

Answer 4

This results in increased stiffness and reduced elasticity.

Question 5

What is a significant psycho-social effect of prolonged isolation in horses?

Answer 5

It can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and stereotypic behaviors like weaving or cribbing.

Question 6

Elevated levels of which hormone, caused by the stress of isolation, can delay healing?

Answer 6

Elevated cortisol levels can delay the healing process.

Question 7

What is the primary goal of rehabilitation programs for horses on stall rest?

Answer 7

Rehabilitation programs must aim to counteract the effects of disuse.

Question 8

An inverted topline is defined by the relative hypertrophy of ventral muscles with _____ of dorsal musculature.

Answer 8

atrophy

Question 9

What is a primary consequence of an inverted topline on the spine?

Answer 9

It leads to reduced spinal stability.

Question 10

How does an inverted topline affect the articular facets of the vertebrae?

Answer 10

It causes increased loading on the articular facets.

Question 11

Name one rehabilitation strategy specifically used to address an inverted topline.

Answer 11

Core stabilization exercises are a key strategy.

Question 12

The use of _____ therapy can help rehabilitate an inverted topline by reducing axial load through buoyancy.

Answer 12

aquatic

Question 13

What is the definition of ‘collection’ in equine biomechanics?

Answer 13

It is the increased engagement of the hindquarters with an elevation of the forehand.

Question 14

True collection requires coordinated dorsal stabilization with _____ activation, not dorsal bracing.

Answer 14

ventral

Question 15

Which muscle group, part of the dorsal chain, is responsible for controlled extension and stabilization of the spine?

Answer 15

The epaxial muscles, such as the longissimus dorsi and multifidus.

Question 16

The ventral chain, including the abdominals and iliopsoas, primarily facilitates what two functions?

Answer 16

It facilitates flexion and load transfer.

Question 17

What therapeutic exercise involves moving a joint through its range without muscle activation from the horse?

Answer 17

Passive Range of Motion (PROM).

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of Passive Range of Motion (PROM) exercises?

Answer 18

PROM helps maintain joint nutrition and capsular elasticity.

Question 19

What type of therapeutic exercise uses joint glides and accessory motions to restore arthrokinematics?

Answer 19

Passive mobilization.

Question 20

The injury cascade often begins with tissue trauma, followed by what two immediate responses?

Answer 20

Pain and effusion (swelling).

Question 21

What phenomenon describes muscle shutdown or inhibition due to joint pain and swelling?

Answer 21

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition.

Question 22

What is the main goal of rehabilitation in the context of the injury cascade?

Answer 22

The goal is to interrupt the cycle as early as possible.

Question 23

During rehabilitation from an injury, what should be restored before focusing on strength?

Answer 23

Neuromuscular control should be restored before strength.

Question 24

During the inflammatory stage of healing, what is the primary focus of rehabilitation?

Answer 24

The focus is on protecting the injured tissue.

Question 25

During the _____ stage of healing, the focus shifts to introducing controlled motion.

Answer 25

proliferative

Question 26

In which stage of healing does rehabilitation focus on rebuilding strength and function through exercise progression?

Answer 26

The remodeling stage.

Question 27

What modality is primarily indicated during the inflammatory stage of healing?

Answer 27

Cryotherapy (cold therapy) and rest.

Question 28

Pulsed therapeutic ultrasound is most appropriate during which stage of healing?

Answer 28

The proliferative stage.

Question 29

To improve collagen extensibility in a chronic condition, what mode of therapeutic ultrasound should be used?

Answer 29

Continuous mode.

Question 30

What is the myofascial system?

Answer 30

A continuous, body-wide connective tissue network that envelops and interconnects all structures.

Question 31

The myofascial system is described as an active structure involved in what three functions?

Answer 31

Force transmission, posture, and movement coordination.

Question 32

What are trigger points in the context of myofascial pain?

Answer 32

They are hyperirritable foci within taut bands of skeletal muscle.

Question 33

Trigger points are associated with local tenderness, increased muscle tone, motor dysfunction, and what other key characteristic?

Answer 33

Referred pain patterns.

Question 34

How do trigger points affect a muscle's strength and length?

Answer 34

They cause reduced muscle strength due to inhibition and restricted muscle length.

Question 35

Trigger points lead to abnormal joint mechanics secondary to _____.

Answer 35

altered muscle forces

Question 36

What is a common palpation finding in horses with back pain?

Answer 36

Epaxial muscle hypertonicity.

Question 37

What is a common postural finding in horses experiencing back pain?

Answer 37

An inverted or underdeveloped topline.

Question 38

How might back pain manifest in a horse's gait or performance?

Answer 38

Common findings include shortened stride length and poor transitions.

Question 39

What is the primary aim of manual therapies like mobilization?

Answer 39

To restore normal arthrokinematics (joint motion).

Question 40

Besides improving circulation, what is a key effect of massage therapy?

Answer 40

It reduces muscle tone and facilitates relaxation through parasympathetic activation.

Question 41

When are manual therapies most effective?

Answer 41

They are most effective when combined with active exercise, not as stand-alone interventions.

Question 42

Stifle dysfunction commonly involves weakness in which major muscle group?

Answer 42

The quadriceps.

Question 43

Successful non-invasive treatment of stifle dysfunction focuses on restoring _____ before building _____.

Answer 43

neuromuscular control; strength gains

Question 44

Name a non-invasive treatment approach for stifle dysfunction.

Answer 44

Progressive strengthening of the quadriceps and gluteals.

Question 45

What is the key difference between active and passive stretching?

Answer 45

Active stretching is initiated by the horse and requires neuromuscular engagement, while passive stretching is applied externally.

Question 46

Which type of stretching is preferred for long-term functional improvement because it improves coordination and motor control?

Answer 46

Active stretching.

Question 47

According to stretching guidelines, tissues should be _____ first.

Answer 47

warmed

Question 48

What is the preferred method for applying a stretch to avoid injury?

Answer 48

A low load, longer duration stretch is preferred.

Question 49

Stretching should always be slow and controlled, and _____ should never be elicited.

Answer 49

pain

Question 50

What is the primary goal of proprioceptive retraining exercises?

Answer 50

To restore joint position sense and coordinated movement.

Question 51

Name one common technique used for proprioceptive retraining in horses.

Answer 51

Walking over ground poles and cavaletti.

Question 52

Proprioceptive exercises like backing and turns on the forehand improve neuromuscular timing, postural stability, and what else?

Answer 52

Limb placement accuracy.

Question 53

According to the principles of all modalities, treatment must be _____-driven and match the stage of healing.

Answer 53

indication

Question 54

What is the fundamental principle regarding the role of modalities in rehabilitation?

Answer 54

Modalities support movement; they do not replace it.

Question 55

How does kinesiotape work to influence the body?

Answer 55

It works by mimicking the elasticity of the skin and providing continuous sensory input.

Question 56

What determines the effect of a kinesiotape application (e.g., facilitation vs. inhibition)?

Answer 56

The direction and tension of the tape application.

Question 57

Why is correct farriery considered an essential component of rehabilitation?

Answer 57

Because poor hoof balance can alter joint loading patterns and increase strain on proximal structures.

Question 58

What is a general contraindication for most rehabilitation modalities?

Answer 58

Acute infection or unstable fractures.

Question 59

Heat therapy is contraindicated during which phase of injury?

Answer 59

Acute inflammation.

Question 60

Therapeutic ultrasound should generally be avoided over what two areas?

Answer 60

Neoplasia (tumors) and open growth plates.

Question 61

For treating deep tissues with therapeutic ultrasound, which frequency should be selected?

Answer 61

1 MHz.

Question 62

For treating superficial tissues with therapeutic ultrasound, which frequency should be selected?

Answer 62

3 MHz.

Question 63

Research suggests that _____ muscles may not reach therapeutic temperature at commonly used ultrasound settings, emphasizing correct parameter selection.

Answer 63

epaxial

Question 64

What are the three basic guidelines to consider when working with horses?

Answer 64

1. Safety first; 2. Read and respond to the horse; 3. Progress gradually and consistently.

Question 65

What are the primary physiological effects of cold therapy (cryotherapy)?

Answer 65

It causes vasoconstriction and slows nerve conduction velocity, which reduces pain and swelling.

Question 66

In what type of condition is heat therapy (thermotherapy) most appropriately used?

Answer 66

It is typically used in chronic conditions.

Question 67

What are the primary physiological effects of heat therapy (thermotherapy)?

Answer 67

It increases blood flow, improves tissue extensibility, and reduces muscle stiffness.

Question 68

What is a critical safety consideration when applying either hot or cold therapy?

Answer 68

The duration must be controlled and the skin/tissue response must be monitored.