Page 230 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Musculoskeletal system: 1.5 The hindlimb 205

VetBooks.ir 1.390 1.391

Figs. 1.390, 1.391 Transverse (1.390) and longitudinal (1.391) ultrasonographic images demonstrating
heterogenicity and disruption of fibre pattern indicative of desmitis of the middle patellar ligament (arrows).

1.392 1.393

Figs. 1.392, 1.393 (1.392) Longitudinal ultrasonographic scan of the medial aspect of the stifle
demonstrating disruption of the medial meniscus, indicative of a tear. (1.393) Note the normal ultrasonographic
appearance of the contralateral meniscus.

programme aimed at improving muscling around or ligament is damaged, then torn collagenous or
the stifle, with correct patellar tracking reliant on fibrocartilaginous material is removed, often with
the muscle groups of the lateral thigh. Arthroscopic a synovial shaver, improving function in the longer
evaluation of the joint is indicated where there has term and reducing the production of inflammatory
been a poor response to intra-articular medication mediators. Surgical repair of a torn cruciate ligament
or where a soft-tissue lesion that may benefit from in the horse is technically impossible.
debridement is suspected. Where lameness is severe Overall, the prognosis for soundness is guarded
and unilateral a severe soft-tissue lesion is more likely, in horses with meniscal tears and poor in horses
and in such cases arthroscopy may be advised prior with moderate to severe cruciate ligament injuries.
to rest and intra-articular medication. If a meniscus Concomitant injuries, particularly involving the