Thermographic Evaluation of Second Carpal Bone Fracture in a Javelin Horse

Year 2021, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 22 - 25, 31.12.2021

Ömer Tarık Orhun

Abstract

Poor carpal structure, high-speed gallop exercise, racing, and chronic carpal diseases can be considered as predisposing factors of equine carpal fractures. This case report was aimed to present the evaluation of thermographic findings of a 7-year-old male javelin horse with a second carpal bone fracture. The dorsal view of healthy left carpal joint was measured as 26.8°C, while the dorsal view of the right carpal joint was recorded as 29.9°C. After clinical and thermographic examination, dorsopalmar and lateromedial radiography of the left carpal joint were obtained. Radiographic examination revealed second carpal bone slab fracture in the left forelimb of the horse. In conclusion, thermographic examination may be superior to radiography for determining the localization of lesions. The increase in temperature eventually causes inflammation at the surrounding region, which can be detected by using the thermography.

Keywords

Equine, Inflammation, Lameness, Radiography, Thermography

References

• 1. Kraus, B. M., Ross, M. W., Boston, R. C. 2005. Surgical and nonsurgical management of sagittal slab fractures of the third carpal bone in racehorses: 32 cases (1991–2001). JAVMA, 226(6), 945-950. DOI: 10.2460/javma.2005.226.945.
• 2. Yanmaz, L. E., Okumus, Z. 2014. Using infrared thermography to detect corneal and extremity temperatures of healthy horses. Isr J Vet Med, 69, 20-23.
• 3. Turner, T.A. 1991. Thermography as an aid to the clinical lameness evaluation. Vet. Clin. N. Am Equine. 7:311-338,. DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30502-3
• 4. Yanmaz, L. E., Okumus, Z., & Dogan, E. 2007. Instrumentation of thermography and its applications in horses. J Anim Vet Adv, 6(7), 858-62.
• 5. Yanmaz LE, Okumus Z. 2018. Thermographic assessment of extremity temperature alterations of cases with bucked shin complex, splints, carpal osteoarthritis and sesamoiditis in sport horses. Erciyes Üniversitesi Vet. Fak. Derg., 15 (1), 41-45.