Vet Moves » Lameness

Carpal Bursitis

Dr. Barak Amram — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:09:13 +0000

This looks worse then it really is. This is an inflammation of the Bursa that’s in front of the carpus and not of one of the carpus joints. The horse is not very lame and can bend the knee all the way. This would not be the case if the inflammation was in one of the joints in the knee. X rays were with in normal limits.

Due to trauma, infection excess of serous fluid is secreted by the walls of the bursa.
Treatment with drainage and bandaging should bring the swelling down. Steroids should be used if infection is not the case.

Annular Ligament Desmotomy

Dr. Barak Amram — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:20:58 +0000

Annular ligament desmotomy: Palmar–plantar annular ligament (PAL) constriction is a well recognized syndrome causing chronic lameness in performance horses. Clinically, the superficial digital flexor (SDF) and deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons may become constricted, resulting in pain and a decreased gliding function caused by thickening of the annular ligament (desmitis), — Complete, open transection of the ligament.

Thermographic Imaging

Dr. Barak Amram — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:33:07 +0000

Today, a very successful method in evaluating lameness in horses is done through the use of thermography cameras.

The cameras can detect minimal changes in temperature and focus the Veterinarian on the area that is most affected on the horse and is the cause of lameness and inadequate performance. The thermographic camera is mostly known for it’s ability to detect lameness issues before clinical signs are obvious and in this way may act as a tool to prevent injuries in the horse’s future career.

Another purpose that the thermographic camera can be used for is for saddle fitting. The use of the camera can be done before putting the saddle on the horses back and after it has been ridden. The camera is then projected at the horses back (with the use of a mono-pod to get a more accurate reading from up above) and then on the saddle itself, to see where the “heat spots” are. This can save a lot of time, money and effort when fitting a saddle, before deciding to have one custom made or giving away a very expensive one.

for further information go to:

Thermal Imaging and Infrared Cameras for Veterinary Medicine

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