NEW INNOVATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LAMENESS
Fig. 5. A horse was referred for standing MR examination following acute onset severe right fore lameness localized to the foot following a jumping competition. A, Sagittal STIR image of the right fore demonstrates contusion (increased signal) of the navicular bone and the second and third phalanx. B, The left fore foot of the same horse is shown for comparison, which demonstrates normal STIR signal in healthy pedal bones (the bones are uniformly of decreased signal). C, A lateral radiograph taken at the time of injury, within normal limits. D and E, The horse remained lame, and radiographs were taken 6 months later. The radiographs demon- strated periarticular and articular degenerative bone disease and degenerative change of the navicular bone. These findings were confirmed on follow-up MR examination.
cant in cases where palmar digital neurectomy is being considered. Understanding the nature of the deep digital flexor pathology is paramount in terms of case selection for this procedure given that certain lesions do not respond well to neurectomy, resulting in residual lameness or early recurrence of lameness post-operatively.8
A frustrating aspect of MR imaging is when there
are no demonstrable abnormalities found on the ex- amination. This scenario can certainly result in dissatisfaction and discouragement on the part of the referring clinician and owner. In these cases, it is imperative to re-examine the clinical history and lameness workup. With the current understanding
