Lameness Exam

BEVS offers full service diagnostic lameness exams onsite or at the clinic. In most cases a lameness exam is the most beneficial way of identifying a specific area of discomfort. During a lameness exam the patient is evaluated at different gaits and in the case of horses sometimes under saddle, when warranted.  Once the patient’s normal movement has been assessed the veterinarian will likely perform flexion tests to further confirm a diagnosis. A flexion test is a procedure where joints are held in a flexed position for upwards of one minute or more before a patient is asked to move forward and away from the veterinarian at an increased speed. The purpose of the flexion test is to put added pressure or stress on specific areas to accentuate any lameness. 

Options...
In addition to the flexion test the veterinarian has the ability to perform:
  • diagnostic x-rays
  • nerve blocks
  • ultrasound onsite 

More...
  • An x-ray will give the veterinarian a diagnostic picture of the patient’s bones, to visually pin point injuries, deformities or changes. 
  • Nerve blocks involve injecting a local anesthetic into a specific area which temporarily numbs the area. Once the nerve block has gone into effect a flexion test would be re-performed to confirm if the blocked area was the site of pain/lameness.
  • For tendon and other soft tissue injuries BEVS offers mobile ultrasound.  The Ultrasound allows the veterinarian to view the patient’s tendons and connective tissue in a non-invasive fashion.