LAMENESS in Horses
Selected common conditions
Dr. M. Racin Abdin – Bey
‫ محمد رصين عابدين بك‬/‫د‬
‫قسم الدراسـات االكلينيكـية‬
LAMENESS
a common reason for the horse’s owner to consult the veterinary surgeon is . . . . . .

*
Lameness
‫العـرج‬
affecting the musculoskeletal System*
Skeleton and joints (hard tissue) & tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerves (soft tissue).
LAMENESS
accurate diagnosis
immediate treatment
are important, Particularly in
Races or Endurance horses,
since they have to suspend their training programs for the entire period of
treatment.
LAMENESS
Remember !!
Lameness is only a symptom which is
indicating a functional disorder in the limb due to pathological or congenital
factor .
LAMENESS
Many steps should be considered to find the exact
Site
and
Cause of Lameness
and to approach
the final D i a g n o s i s
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
For this reason ...
A complete Lameness-examination should be performed in all cases of lameness.
A review of the procedure follows !
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
A full and detailed lameness examination includes :
History of the case (from the owners point of view)
Onset
and duration of the Lameness
Type of lameness and earlier treatment?
Type of work of the horse
Location of lameness
Has the horse been shoed recently....
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
Visual assessment
1.General evaluation of Conformation and balance of the extremities,
A) Base-narrow
B) Base-wide
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
C) Toe in/out
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
 check General Joint conformation such as
Medial
Lateral
deviation of the carpal Joint (Carpus Vulgus)
deviation of the carpal Joint (Carpus Varus)
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
Look for abnormal findings
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
Evaluation on the standing horse at rest
(check all main structures in the extremity and hoof),
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
•Palpation (increased pain or heat)
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
•Digital pulsation
(increased pulsation)
digital palmar artery lat/med.
for the front limb
digital plantar artery lat/med
for the hind limb
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
•Flexion of the joints (stress potential trauma)
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
•Hoof testers (localize the area in the hoof)
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
•Radiography (detectable findings)
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
Evaluation of the horse during movement
Fore limb Lameness
by watching the horse from the front,
Hind limb Lameness
by watching the horse from the back,
this all during walking & trotting on hard surface.
LAMENESS Examination in Horses
Diagnostic nerve blocks (diagnostic anesthesia)
Regional anesthesia is used as a diagnostic tool on the limbs. . . .
to help localize cause of lameness
confirm examination findings
on the site of lameness

regional anesthesia should proceed
from distal to proximal
Thank You !