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Radiography techniques of the equine fetlock joint

Sun Mar 31 2019

This article aims to provide key information on radiography techniques of the equine fetlock joint, covering everything from indication to patient prep, to the different types of views.

Indications

  • Investigation of pain causing lameness localised to the equine fetlock region by clinical signs and/or diagnostic analgesia.
  • Investigation of traumatic/penetrating wounds to the fetlock region.
  • May be requested as part of a pre-purchase examination.
  • Assessment of angular limb deformities.
  • Monitoring and re-evaluation of pathology.

Patient preparation

  • Ensure the hair coat is clean as debris will appear radiopaque on radiographs and may mimic or mask abnormalities.
  • Radiography of this region is usually well-tolerated. However, sedation will usually aid the acquisition of well positioned and good quality radiographs and reduce procedure time, number of repeated acquisitions and risk to personnel and equipment.
  • The horse should be weight-bearing evenly on the forelimbs with the metacarpus of the limb to be radiographed as vertical as possible in both planes (i.e. when viewed from both the front and the side). The same principles of positioning apply when radiographing the hindlimb fetlock.

Radiographic views

There are four standard views of the fetlock joint:

  • Lateromedial
  • Dorsopalmar(/plantar)
  • Dorsolateral-palmaro(/plantaro)medial oblique
  • Dorsomedial-palmaro(/plantaro)lateral oblique

There are various other additional views for identifying specific lesions or visualising specific areas.

The technique for radiography of metacarpophalangeal joint (forelimb) is described below, however the same principles apply for radiography of the metatarsophalangeal joint (hindlimb).

Lateromedial (LM)

Lateromedial

Flexed lateromedial

Flexed lateromedial

Dorsopalmar (DP)

Fetlock dorsopalmar

Dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique (DLPMO)

Fetlock DLPMO

Dorsomedial-palmarolateral oblique (DMPLO)

Fetlock DMPLO

Additional radiographic views of the equine fetlock

Angled-down obliques (DPrM-PaDiLO and DPrL-PaDiMO)

Fetlock angled down obliques

Flexed dorsopalmar

Fetlock flexed DP images

Skyline of the metacarpophalangeal joint

We hope you enjoyed our article on radiography techniques of the equine fetlock joint. To continue your learning we have a number of related articles and other free content for you below, or should you wish to view our radiography product, simply click on the link below.

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