Contributors ix

Common Terminologies and Abbreviations xi

Chapter 1. Functional Anatomy of the Equine Musculoskeletal System 3

Anatomic Nomenclature and Usage 3

Thoracic Limb 3

Hindlimb 32

Axial Components 56

Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Lameness Diagnosis 65

Definition of Lameness 65

Classification of Lameness 66

What to Look For 66

Anatomic Problem Areas 75

Occupation-related Problem Areas 75

Evaluation of Foals with Lameness 76

Performing a Prepurchase Examination 78

Chapter 3. Assessment of the Lame Horse 83

History 83

Signalment and Use 83

Visual Examination at Rest 83

Palpation and Manipulation 84

Visual Exam at Exercise 107

Flexion Tests/Manipulation 108

Perineural Anesthesia 114

Intrasynovial Anesthesia 124

Chapter 4. Imaging 149

Radiography 149

Ultrasound 168

Nuclear Medicine 189

Magnetic Resonance Imaging 202

Computed Tomography 214

Chapter 5. Common Conditions of the Foot 225

Navicular Disease/Syndrome 225

Fractures of the Navicular (Distal Sesamoid) Bone 229

Injuries to the DDFT and Podotrochlear Apparatus 231

Injuries to the Collateral Ligaments (CLs) of the DIP Joint 232

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the DIP Joint 234

Fractures of the Distal Phalanx (P3, Coffin Bone) 235

Pedal Osteitis (PO) 239

Subchondral Cystic Lesions of the Distal Phalanx (P3) 240

Ossification of the Collateral Cartilage of the Distal Phalanx (Sidebone) 241

Sole Bruises, Corns, and Abscesses 243

Canker 244

Thrush 245

White Line Disease 246

Penetrating Injuries of the Foot 247

Keratoma 249

Foot Imbalances 250

Club Foot 253

Toe Cracks, Quarter Cracks, Heel Cracks (Sand Cracks) 255

Laminitis 257

Chapter 6. Common Conditions of the Forelimb 267

OA of the Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint 267

Osteochondrosis (OC) of the PIP Joint 270

Luxation/Subluxation of the PIP Joint 272

Fractures of the Middle Phalanx (P2) 274

Fractures of the Proximal Phalanx (P1) 278

Desmitis of the Distal Sesamoidean Ligaments (DSLs) 283

SDFT and DDFT Injuries in the Pastern 284

Osteochondral (Chip) Fractures of Proximal P1 286

Fractures of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones 287

Sesamoiditis 291

Traumatic OA of the MCP Joint (Osselets) 293

Fetlock Subchondral Cystic Lesions (SCLs) 294

Traumatic Rupture of the Suspensory Apparatus 295

Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath (DFTS) Tenosynovitis 297

Periostitis and Fracture of the Dorsal Metacarpus (Bucked Shins, Shin Splints, and Stress Fracture) 299

MCIII/MTIII Condylar Fractures 301

Complete Fractures of the MCIII/MTIII (Cannon Bone) 303

“Splints” or Small MC Bone Exostosis 304

Fractures of the Small MC/MT (Splint) Bones 306

Suspensory Ligament (SL) Desmitis 308

Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) 311

Superficial Digital Flexor (SDF) Tendinitis (Bowed Tendon) 312

Common Digital Extensor (CDE) Tendon Rupture 314

Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR) Tendon Damage 316

Intra-articular Carpal Fractures 317

OA of the Carpus 320

Carpal Sheath Tenosynovitis 321

Fractures of the Radius 323

Fractures of the Ulna 325

Subchondral Cystic Lesions (SCLs) of the Elbow 328

Bursitis of the Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis) 329

Fractures of the Humerus 330

Bicipital (Intertubercular Bursa) Bursitis 331

Osteochondrosis (OCD) of the Scapulohumeral (Shoulder) Joint 333

Suprascapular Nerve Injury (Sweeny) 335

Fractures of the Supraglenoid Tubercle (Tuberosity) 337

Chapter 7. Common Conditions of the Hindlimb 343

Distal Hindlimb and Foot 343

Distal Tarsal Osteoarthritis (OA) 343

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Tarsocrural Joint 346

Slab/Sagittal Fractures of the Central or Third Tarsal Bones 347

Fractures of the Tibial Malleoli 348

Subluxations/Luxations of the Tarsal Joints 349

Luxation of the SDFT from the Calcaneus 350

Capped Hock/Calcaneal Bursitis 352

Tarsal Sheath Tenosynovitis (Thoroughpin) 354

Rupture of the Peroneus Tertius 356

Stringhalt 357

Tibial Stress Fractures 358

Diaphyseal and Metaphyseal Tibial Fractures 359

Tibial Tuberosity/Crest Fractures 360

Fractures of the Proximal Tibial Physis 362

Femoropatellar OCD 363

Fractures of the Patella 364

Upward Fixation of the Patella (UFP) 367

Subchondral Cystic Lesions (SCLs) of the Stifle 368

Meniscal Injuries 370

Collateral/Cruciate Ligament Injury 373

Synovitis/Capsulitis/OA of the Stifle 375

Fibrotic Myopathy 375

Diaphyseal and Metaphyseal Femoral Fractures 377

Capital Physeal Fractures of the Femoral Head 379

Coxofemoral Luxation (Dislocation of the Hip Joint) 380

OA of the Coxofemoral Joint 382

Infectious Arthritis/Physitis of the Coxofemoral Joint 383

Chapter 8. Common Conditions of the Axial Skeleton 389

Pelvic Fractures 389

Ilial Wing Fractures 390

Tuber Coxae Fractures 391

Acetabular Fractures 392

Fractures of the Sacrum and Coccygeal Vertebrae 392

Diseases of the Sacroiliac Region 393

Overriding/Impingement of Dorsal Spinous Processes 395

Supraspinous Ligament Injuries 396

Fractures of the Spinous Processes 397

Vertebral Fractures 397

Discospondylitis 398

Spondylosis 398

Facet Joint OA and Vertebral Facet Joint Syndrome 399

Nuchal Ligament Desmopathy/Nuchal Bursitis 401

Cervical Facet Joint OA 402

Chapter 9.Therapeutic Options 05 Systemic/Parenteral 405

Topical/Local 407

Intrasynovial 408

Intralesional 411

Oral/Nutritional 413

Corrective Trimming and Shoeing 417

Chapter 10. Musculoskeletal Emergencies 429

Severe Unilateral Lameness 429

Severely Swollen Limb 430

Long Bone Fractures/Luxations 432

Synovial Infections 436

Tendon Lacerations 438

Index 443

 “This manual is a quick reference on equine lameness.  This manual is best suited for general large animal or mixed animal practitioners, although equine practitioners might find it useful as a quick reference in the field.  It should be mentioned that this manual may also be of interest to veterinary students as a less expensive alternative to other books that deal with equine lameness in more detail.”  (Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 16 September 2012)