YEP
YORKSHIRE EQUINE PRACTICE
Lameness Investigation
All our veterinary surgeons have a strong interest in lameness investigations and have portable digital radiography (x-ray) equipment and ultrasound scanners which allow lameness evaluations to be carried out in the yard, enabling prompt treatment and rehabilitation decisions to be made.
Each lameness investigation is tailored to the individual case.
Some of the diagnostic techniques that we may use (see below) and the veterinary surgeon who is assessing your horse will discuss with you those that are relevant, together with the plan for your horse:
Nerve blocks
In some cases it may be useful to use a nerve block in order to assist the diagnosis of a lameness investigation. This is done by injecting local anaesthetic around the nerves that supply a particular region of the limb, after around 5-10 minutes the horse is re-examined to determine if the lameness has improved.
Local anaesthetic can also be placed into joints or tendon sheaths to determine if they are the source of pain, causing lameness or poor performance.
If the nerve block of a particular area reduces the lameness, radiography or ultrasonography can then be used in order to determine the exact cause of pain and lameness.
Radiography
All our vets have access to the latest mobile digital radiographic equipment.
Mobile digital imaging may be used in many situations and conveniently conducted at the yard.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is useful for diagnosing and evaluating a numerous conditions including joint, tendon, muscle, ligament and pelvis injuries.
