An approach to non-localizable lameness

Presenter:

Karen L Perry BVM&S CertSAS DipECVS MSc Vet Ed FHEA MRCVS
Associate Professor in Small Animal Orthopedics
Section Head of Small Animal Surgery
Michigan State University, Veterinary Medical Center

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About The Webinar

A non-localizable lameness can be one of the most frustrating problems in small animal orthopedics. Localization of pain and discomfort is essential in the work-up of lame dogs in order to identify cause, prognosis and treatment options. However, in some cases, it is difficult to determine the exact localization of lameness because of the absence of palpable changes or because of unreliable pain responses. If pain is multifocal or impossible to elucidate on manipulation, skeletal survey radiographs may be indicated to localize the lameness. However, radiographic signs often lag behind ongoing skeletal pathology, underestimate soft tissue changes and may reflect previous disease processes.
While the use of expensive and invasive advanced techniques including arthroscopy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have received considerable interest, when working-up a non-localizable lameness it is advisable to employ minimally invasive diagnostic techniques first. The source of the lameness can be located using non-invasive techniques at least 80% of the time, even with challenging thoracic limb cases.
In cases where a full orthopedic and neurological examination fails to convincingly locate the source of the lameness, additional techniques may be considered including arthrocentesis, intra-articular anesthesia and nuclear scintigraphy. During this webinar, we will discuss, in a case-based approach, how each of these may contribute to the diagnostic process.

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