Lameness Work-Up

In order to detect the cause of lameness (localisation of pain), the horse is assessed in motion on both hard and soft surface. Flexion tests are used to localise the region from where pain originates. In addition, local anaesthesia (diagnostic anaesthesia) is used to determine the exact location of the source of pain. In most cases, diagnostic imaging is required to confirm the presence and degree of any pathological changes. Primarily we use digital radiography and ultrasound (ultrasonography) in order to illustrate the exact location and degree of changes.

In cases of indistinct lameness or when other imaging methods have not yielded a clear diagnosis, gamma scintigraphy is an additional option. For detailed imaging of indistinct findings, computed tomography can be very helpful. Arthroscopy can also provide information about causes of lameness and their degree.