Page 136 - A Practical Guide to Equine Radiography

VetBooks.ir CHAPTER 12

Stifle

Indications • Large plates (35 × 43 cm) are recommended
Stifle radiography in the performance horse is a • Plate holder: a short-handled plate holder
fairly routine procedure in equine practice. may be used depending on the horse
Indications for performing radiographs of • Radiation safety equipment: lead gowns,
the stifle include: lead gloves and thyroid protectors.

• Lameness localized to the stifle by diagnostic
analgesia (femoropatellar joint block, lateral Preparation
femorotibial joint block or medial femoro- If necessary, brush or wash the area to reduce
tibial joint block) artefacts caused by dirt. Sedation of the patient
• Soft tissue swelling, including joint effusion is advised.
• Signs of trauma, such as wounds
• Abnormal position of the patella
• As part of a pre-purchase or pre-sales Radiographic protocol
examination. A standard radiographic examination of the
stifle usually includes at least two radiographs:

• Lateromedial (LM)
Equipment
For a complete study of the stifle the following • Caudocranial (CdCr).
equipment is required: Additional projections:

• Portable X-ray machine may be sufficient, • Caudo 60º lateral-craniomedial oblique
depending on the size and condition of (Cd60L-CrMO)
the horse. Caudocranial projections may • Flexed lateromedial (flexed LM)
require higher exposures and the use • Cranioproximal-craniodistal oblique (CrPr-
of a high-output X-ray machine may be CrDiO) or ‘skyline’ view of the patella.
necessary

Equine Radiography.indb 117 27/11/2018 11:10