NEW INNOVATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LAMENESS
Fig. 5. Transducer position (A) to obtain a longitudinal image of the acetabulum (B) to detect a complete acetabular fracture in this horse with severe acute lameness. Gaping of the fracture was seen upon loading the limb (arrow). C) Postmortem specimen showing two complete fractures through the acetabulum in the same horse.
gaping. Fracture movement may be noticed with limb movement or shifting of the horse’s weight. In questionable cases, comparison to the contralat- eral limb should be performed. Callus formation may be also seen in horses with healing fractures. Callus will produce a tufted or somewhat prolifera- tive appearance to the bone. Hematoma formation may be present but is a surprisingly uncommon finding in horses with coxofemoral fracture. The absence of visible or palpable hematomas should not dissuade the examiner from the possibility of fracture. Proximal femoral fractures are relatively uncom-
mon but can be identified during coxofemoral ultra- sound. Capital physeal fractures may be found in foals and are best seen on transverse views of the coxofemoral joint (Fig. 6a). A gap between the fem- oral head and neck may be visible with varying degrees of displacement. Care should be taken not to overinterpret the appearance of cartilage and physes in the immature horse (Fig. 6B). Compari- son to the contralateral limb should be performed to differentiate between fracture and the normal phy- seal appearance.
350 2015 Vol. 61 AAEP PROCEEDINGS 4. Results
Sixty-eight horses with ultrasonographic evidence of coxofemoral injury were identified from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2014. Ages ranged from 2 weeks to 29 years (median age 11 years).
Fig. 6. A, Capital physeal fracture in a 9-month-old Paint filly. The femoral neck is dorsally displaced relative to the fem- oral head, which is seen within the acetabulum (A). B, Normal appearance of the coxofemoral joint in a 2-month-old foal showing the normal capital physis and overlying cartilage. IB ilial body.
