Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology: Self-Assessment Color Review PDF

Preface

In assessing the cases for this book we have tried to include the broadest possible range of colour images and imaging techniques, including radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy and arthroscopy. To reflect the day to day practice of the veterinarian, the cases are arranged randomly; alternatively, certain categories of condition may be accessed through the Broad Classification of cases (opposite page). The cases provide a fair representation of the spread of orthopaedic and rheumatological problems encountered in equine practice.

Certain conventions in description and display have been adopted to avoid lengthy explanations for each illustration. Lameness is graded on a score of 0–5, where ‘0' is not lame and ‘5' is nonweightbearing. Unless otherwise stated, craniocaudal and dorsopalmar/plantar radiographs are orientated with lateral to the right, as are transverse ultrasound images. Ventrodorsal radiographs are displayed according to medical convention, with the left side of the animal to the right of the illustration, but gamma camera images and point scans of the pelvis are illustrated with the right of the animal to the right when viewed from behind or above, and the left to the right when viewed from the front. Longitudinal ultrasound images are displayed with the proximal part of the limb to the right of the picture.

Some readers may be unfamiliar with the use of the point counter in nuclear medicine, despite some advantages over the gamma camera for the general equine practice. If further information is required to help answer these questions, the reader may find the following reference helpful:

Pilsworth RC and Holmes MA (1992) A low-cost, computer-based scintigraphy system for use in lameness investigation in general practice. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practice. pp 327–350.

Abbreviations used in the book are listed on page 177.