Page 141 - Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 7th Edition

Examination for Lameness 107

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Figure 2.80. Effusion within the calcaneal bursa can often be
palpated as fluid outpouchings above and below the retinaculum of
the superficial digital flexor tendon (arrows).

metatarsal (splint) bone (Figure 2.83). The test is consid­
ered positive if the horse flexes and abducts the limb away
from the pressure especially if there is a marked difference
in the response between the two tarsi. 2,4 Figure 2.81. Palpation over the distal tarsal joints on the medial
Enlargement of the long plantar ligament or SDFT aspect of the tarsus, often referred to as the “Churchill test.”
(curb), luxation of the SDFT over the calcaneus, and subcu­
taneous swelling over the calcaneus (capped hock) are
closely associated with the plantar aspect of the tuber calcis.
This area should be palpated for enlargement of the plantar
ligament (Figure 2.84), swelling and pain associated with
the superficial flexor tendon (Figure 2.85), displacement of
the SDFT (Figure 2.86), and a fluid swelling at the point
of the hock referred to as “capped” hock (Figure 2.87).
Swelling associated with a capped hock is always subcuta­
neous and does not involve the calcaneal bursa.

TIBIA
The tibial region can be a difficult region to detect
abnormalities both visually and with palpation. Swelling
and pain in the caudal tibial region may suggest myositis
of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles or
gastrocnemius tendonitis. Focal swelling of the distal
medial epicondyle of the tibia can be associated with a
fracture or medial collateral ligament injury. Severe pain
with deep digital palpation of the distal third of the tibia,
together with a severe lameness and a positive flexion test,
may suggest the possibility of an incomplete tibial frac­
ture. A complete fracture of the tibia is associated with
non‐weight‐bearing lameness, severe swelling, limb devia­ Figure 2.82. Enlargement of the medial aspect of the distal
tion, and crepitation on palpation and manipulation. tarsus (arrow) consistent with distal tarsal OA (bone spavin).