Lameness is among the most common issues in equine veterinary medicine. Compared to earlier times, determining the cases of lameness in horses is not that complex and difficult now. Aside from traditional methods, there are advanced diagnostics that has made it simpler and more accurate for veterinarians to identify the specific cause of lameness in horses.
Some lameness issues can be detected by traditional method. Advanced diagnostic techniques are essentially used when traditional methods such as physical exam, nerve/joint blocks and lameness assessment fail to locate the area of the lameness.
ANCILLARY DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
These techniques compose of video recording and replaying in slow motion the gaits of the horse, evaluating the horse across a force plate, diagnostic imaging methods, and kinematic analysis system.
NUCLEAR SCINTIGRAPHY
Also referred to as bone scanning, Nuclear Scintigraphy is an imaging technique that does not require any surgery (non-invasive). The technique involves the administration of radionuclides which are usually attached to drugs that goes to a specific organ within the body. Radionuclides discharge gamma radiation which can be viewed using a gamma camera. The image of the radionuclide found in a specific tissue can help in the assessment of that tissue’s function.
Nuclear scintigraphy compliments yet doesn’t replace survey radiography. Usually, the changes in scintigraphy come first before the changes seen on the x rays. This is because the bone’s metabolism changes before the changes in the bone’s structure.
Scintigraphy can be used in the assessment of horses with poorly localized lameness especially when x rays are questionable. Small lesions can appear in huge changes in the bone’s metabolism, in which is then examined in the images.
It is also useful in diagnosing conditions such as tumors, infections and arthritis. Often, bone scans can spot the changes in these conditions before they appear on x-rays. The earlier the diagnosis is the earlier conditions can be treated. Nuclear Scintigraphy provides specific diagnosis of injuries before they become seriously harmful.
THERMOGRAPHY
If you are in the field of animal training then equine thermography will be highly helpful to you. Equine infrared imaging can spot musculo-skeletal injuries numerous weeks before they are visually evident.
After the lameness location has been spotted, the area will then undergo further evaluation using other diagnostic techniques such as synovial fluid analysis, ultrasonography, radiography, computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
SYNOVIAL FLUID SAMPLE
A synovial fluid sample from a tendon or joint sheath can be used in certain cases to evaluate the white blood cell count and protein content. If ever joint infection is identified, synovial fluid can be tested for bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility.
RADIOGRAPHY
This can be used to effectively assess bone abnormalities such as osteochondral chip fractures, condylar fractures, osteomyelitis, arthritis, osteochondrosis, navicular bone abnormalities and many other bone abnormalities.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
This utilizes a specialized imaging approach that employs inaudible sound waves to produce a visual view of soft tissue structures. Ultrasonography is utilized in lameness diagnosis to view images of ligaments and tendon injuries, joint capsules and tendon sheaths.
Ultrasonography is routinely used in equine reproduction for viewing uterine and ovarian structures in order to assist in timing ovulation and insemination, pregnancy diagnosis as well as assessment of the reproductive tract in health and disease. Trans-abdominal ultrasonography images of the late term equine fetus can assist in the evaluation of the fetal’s condition.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Computed tomography supplies a 3 dimensional evaluation of structures and is very useful in evaluating bone abnormalities. For now, computed tomography, is not that widely used on horses. This is because CT can only be used on horses once horses are placed under general anesthesia and the parts the can be assessed are only their distal limbs.
MRI
MRI provides a 3 dimensional imagery of structures, mostly soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, articular, bursae, joint capsules and cartilage. Traditional MRI requires horses to be under general anesthesia, allowing limited use of it. However, advancements have allowed MRI to be utilized in assessing distal limbs on standing and conscious horses.
It should now be clear that assessing lameness in horses require thorough and comprehensive techniques. With the current advancements, equine veterinarians can better diagnose lameness issues. For satisfaction, homeowners need to understand the complicated nature of lameness in horses as well as the value of advanced diagnostics.
