Lameness
Lameness Examination and TreatmentsLameness is a common reality of the performance horse. Those same evolutionary adaptations that enable these creatures to perform so athletically unfortunately predispose them to injury. The day to day rigors of training and showing take a toll on our equine athletes. In human medicine finding “where it hurts” is discerned with a simple question. Because our patients obviously can’t help us in this regard, the greatest problem can be finding the source of the lameness. Determining the location and the nature of the problem is the core of lameness diagnosis. This “art” takes time, patience, a good eye for the equine gait and the utilizing of sound diagnostic techniques and procedures. Instead of relying on gut feelings as to the source of the lameness, we recommend a combination of gait analysis, palpation and anesthesia (blocks) to specific nerves and or joints- this allows us to eliminate the guess work. Additionally, we can aid in the diagnosis with the use of digital radiology and ultrasound.
Treatments
In the past few years there have been some promising new developments in the treatment of lameness. For intra-articular treatment, in addition to the “gold standard” of cortisone and hyaluronic acid, we now offer both IRAP and Stem-Cell therapy. Adequan more commonly associated with intra-muscular injections has been proven to be more efficacious intra-articular; we offer this as well as the non-articular varieties of PSGAG’s (Adequan) and Hyaluronic Acid (Legend). For suspensory and tendon injuries we provide both Vet-Stem and A-cell therapy. We also believe that shock wave therapy for both soft tissue and orthopedic injuries is a viable option. Surpass a new topical NSAI is showing promise as an adjunctive treatment.
