lameness

Question 1

what are the 5 stages of lamenesss evaluation in horses

Answer 1

1. history
2. examination at rest (static)
3. examination in motion (dynamic)
4. diagnostic tests
5. communication and plan with O

Question 2

what types of questions need to be asked when taking a lameness history

Answer 2

• duration
• onset
• severity
• signs shown
• exacerbated by different work or surfaces?
• type of work typically done by horse
• foot care (last time shawd)
• previous clinical problems?
• current medications?

Question 3

what do you look for during an examination at rest (lameness)?

Answer 3

1. conformation
   - square on hard surface, assess symmetry and distribution of weight from front back and side
   - where is the weight distributed through each limb/joint
   - look at horses foot balance and weight distribution/load
2. visual evaluation and palpation
   - muscle assymetry, conformation, feet
   - palpate all limbs, looking for heat, pain, swelling etc
   - look as foot (shoes)
   - apply hoof testers for reaction pain response

Question 4

what are the steps of performing an examination in motion for lameness

Answer 4

1. assess the gait in walk and trot of straight line
2. evaluate and grade any lameness
3. perform exacerbation tests (flexion into trot, lunging on both hard and soft surfaces)

Question 5

what are the parameters of the grading system for equine lameness in the trot

Answer 5

0: no lameness (sound)
1: mild/inconsistent lameness (subtle or inconsistent head nod/pelvic hike)
2: moderate/consistent (consistent head nod/pelvic hike with excursion of several cm)
3: obvious marked lameness (head nod observed in association with unilateral hind limb lameness)
4: severe lameness (extreme head nod/pelvic hike lame in walk and can be trotted)
5: severe, non-weight bearing lameness (horse cannot be trotted. associated with fractures)

Question 6

what arethe most common diagnostic tests for lameness

Answer 6

• regional anesthesia (nerve/joint block)
• radiographs
• ultrasounds
• MRI
• CT
• blood/synovial fluid testing

Question 7

what signs are you looking for in front limb lameness and how do you determine which leg is lame

Answer 7

• head nod
  the head should move down when the sound leg meets the ground and up when the lame leg hits the ground

Question 8

what signs are you looking for when evaluating lameness in the hindlimb and how do you determine which leg is lame

Answer 8

• pelvic symmetry
  the hip that has the most movement is the lame leg.

Question 9

what is Ataxia

Answer 9

incoordination

Question 10

what are the 3 different types of ataxia and how are they distinguished

Answer 10

1. sensory/proprioceptive (poor concept of where limbs are in space. crossing over)
2. cerebellar/dysmetria (lacks fine motor control/overexageration of movements. wide stance)
3. vestibular/head tilt (brain is telling body that the world is on a different angle)

Question 11

what is weakness

Answer 11

• neither ataxic or lame
• in severe cases, paralysis
• muscle wasting