Bilateral Forelimb Lameness in an 11 year-old Thoroughbred

Drs. Karyn Labbe and Beth Biscoe, Washington State University

Dr. John Mattoon, Washington State University

Bilateral forelimb lameness in an 11 year-old Thoroughbred

• Patient is a previous racehorse acquired by the owner with the intended use of barrel racing

• History of intermittent lameness in both forelimbs noticed by the owner 9 months prior

• No improvement was seen with a prolonged period of stall rest

Primary Veterinarian Workup

• Injection of both fore coffin joints resulted in transient lameness improvement for 3 months

• Referring radiographs of the left front foot revealed moderate navicular bone degeneration

Lameness evaluation at presentation

• Patient showed a grade II/V left fore lameness, which was exacerbated by left circling

• Left fore palmar digital nerve analgesia resolved the left fore lameness and resulted in the horse displaying a grade III/V right fore lameness

• Right fore palmar digital nerve analgesia improved the RF lameness greater than 75%

Further Imaging

• The decision was made for MRI of both fore feet• Nail screening radiography prior to MRI identified

a type II fracture of the right fore third phalanx

Advanced ImagingMRI Left Front Foot Region

• MRI Proton Density (PD) transverse images shown• Distal to proximal• 2 vitamin E capsules were placed along lateral side

MRI Left Front Foot Region Sagittal Plane

• Proton Density sagittal plane• Lateral to medial