A huge percentage of our workload consists of lameness examinations. Lameness is often the main reason for underperformance. Determining the exact site of pain can be very straightforward or challenging. Short soundness assessments can be performed at your own yard, but more intricate, time-consuming lameness investigations may be best performed at the clinic, where we have the best facilities, equipment and expertise at hand.
Lameness investigations usually start with a clinical assessment of the horse and gait analysis. Observation, palpation and manipulation of the musculoskeletal system initiates the clinical assessment. After this, the horse will be assessed on different surfaces in straight lines and circles. Ridden assessment may be required in some cases where the lameness is only shows when the horse is ridden.
Diagnostic regional anaesthesia (nerve-blocking) may be necessary to locate the site of pain when this does not become apparent during the clinical assessment. Digital imaging (Radiography/Ultrasound examination) helps us assess bone or soft tissue pathology.
Once the cause of lameness is diagnosed, a tailored treatment plan and management strategy will be prescribed. This may entail medication, surgery, farriery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs. Extra-corporal shock wave treatment, Stem Cell treatment, PRP, Mesotherapy and many more are available at TEC.
Occasionally, the horse may need to be referred for MRI, CT-scan or Scintigraphy.