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Discussion on Picking up patellar desmotomy on exam
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Member:
Wolfydoc
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 1:47 pm:
Hi DrO,
Is it possible to determine by palpation of the patellar ligaments that a horse has had his medial patellar ligaments surgically cut in the past (years ago)?
Here is my scenario: Bought a 10 year old foxtrotter 5 months ago. Prepurchase exam "normal" other than some tendinous windpuffs on the right hind.
I recently found an awesome trustworthy lameness doc and took this foxtrotter to see him because I was seeing a mild lameness when free-lungeing him, and he always seemed to take little short steps under saddle.
This vet determined within minutes of his exam that "Geronimo" had a bilateral hind leg lameness (shortened anterior phase of stride on both hind limbs), mild, and upon palpating his stifles asked if I had been informed of the surgery done on the stifles prior to my purchasing him. I said no, not by the sellers nor the vet who examined him. I was shocked and in disbelief. Radiographs taken by this new vet confirmed DJD, chonDrOmalacia bilaterally. The vet had me palpate the patellar ligaments to show me what he was feeling, and sure enough the lateral and center ligaments were well-defined and normal thickness. The medial ligaments basically were not defined at all except that they seemed very thickened and hard as bone.
Needless to say, I would hate to think that we could have easily avoided the heartbreak and loss of use if only a proper physical exam had been done.
Cindy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 6:48 am:
It strikes me you have answered your own question here Cindy. Palpation of the MPL should be a standard part of a prepurchase exam on a horse that is expected to exercise. Not only can you pick up the past surgery but it focuses you on the articular pouches of the stifle where mild distension may not be readily apparent but is usually significant.
DrO
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Member:
Wolfydoc
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004 - 3:58 pm:
Thanks DrO,
Live and learn. I will consider myself lucky to have finally found an equine vet that I can really count on (both you and Dr. Marti Gardner!)
Cindy
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