1. What are rule outs for swollen fetlock?
Fractures of the proximal sesamoids
Sesamoiditis
Distal cannon fracture
Chip fracture
Septic arthritis which can be capsulitis
OCD
Bone cysts
Physitis
Distal sesmoidean damage
Osselets- is ringbone, metacarpal and metatarsal joint. Perisoteal bone deposition on
phalanges, secondary to tendons and ligaments trargin from points of attachment of
second phalanges
Angular limb deformity- probably would have noticed at birth and since is not
associated with inflammation/trauma not a probable cause
Degenerative joint disease-is young animal, only 2 weeks old so the likelihood of
trauma already leading to DJD is very unlikely
Calcification in suspensory ligament- probably would take longer than 2 weeks
2. What ligaments are involved in this area?
Middle distal sesamoidean ligament
Suspensory ligament
Superifcial distal sesamoidean
Superficial digital flexor tendon
Palmar ligament
3. Where could fractures occur in this area that could lead to this problem
Distal cannon fracture
Fractures of proximal sesamoid
Fractures of proximal phalanx
Chip fractures of the dorsal-proximal rim off of P1 are common in the
thorougbredÑforced flexion causes pain. Joint effusion occurs immediately after a
gallop
Palmar plantar process fractures
Sagittal fractures
Single midbody sesamoid fracture
4. What is the function of the fetlock joint
Fetlock action is somewhat different in the rear leg than in the front leg. In the rear leg
the coffin rotates, moving the pastern down, virtually completing this rotation before the
fetlock begins to rotate. The action of the rear digit is designed to minimize lifting of the
rear quarters against gravity. The whole rear leg is designed to help propel the horse
forward.
5. Is there a breed predilection for lameness in thoroughbreds?
Chip fractures of the dorsal proximal rim off of p1 is common in the thoroughbred.
Forced flexion causes pain. Thoroughbreds are bred for fine, thin bones and are more
suseceptible to fractures in general.
5. What is normal TPR for foal.
Normal HR is 96 ( 64-128). Normal temp is 99-102 in the adult horse and usually on the
higher range for foals ( up to about 102.7). Respiration: Normal adult respirations are 8-
16, foal are around 40/min by 1hour postpartumÉprobably closer to normal by 2 weeks
but on higher end about 10-14.
6. What is toe-touching lameness?Not full weight bearing on that leg. When walking,
only put what pressure that they put on that leg on the toe portion of the hoof.
7. What are implications of soft tissue swelling/edema/pitting edema?
Depends somewhat on what the actual injury is. When there tendon fibers are over
extended or torn the small blood vessles which lie between them rupture and a blood clot
forms, permeating the inflammed area. The blood supply to the central area of a
superficial flexor tendon down the back of the cannon is not as great as that of muscle but
is sufficient that the blood clots instanly forms in the injured tendon. The clot becomes
granulation tissue which contains many anti-inflammatory cless, new blood vessels and
type 1 collagen.
We have not yet found another reason for pitting edema; however our understanding of
pitting edema is that there is an excessive of fluid, protein and inflammatory mediators.
There is fibrin deposition making it even more viscous.
8. What grade lameness would this be? Probably between a grade III and grade IV
III- Lameness is obvious at both walk and trot.
IV- Non-weight bearing lameness is present
9. what are the implications that the foal is more lame after flexion?
With chip fractures, there is often increased lameness after flexion
10. What does the fact that the swelling is 12 cm above the fetlock?
Swelling above the fetlock and only a little below that joint indicate that the primary
problem is not within the fetlock joint itself. The problems originates above the
fetlock and the swelling and edema are following gravity. The metatarsal is just
above the fetlock and the problem is most likely there.