Diagnostic ultrasonography has been around since the early 1980s.It is a practical imaging modality to evaluate soft tissue injuries of the equine leg. It continues to be used extensively for evaluation of tendonous and ligamentous structures, to diagnose and monitor soft tissue injuries. The basic objective of an ultrasonographic evaluation is to evaluate the integrity of soft tissue structures and bony surfaces of each designated anatomical structure. This is done by determining the size, shape, echogenicity (whiteness or brightness of a structure), fiber pattern and then consider these findings carefully together with the clinical examinations and the current athletic use of the horse. Some Indications for Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Equine Include:
Diagnosis of soft tissue injuries including muscular, vascular, tendon, tendon sheaths, ligament, joint capsule, or bursal defects
Assessment of fluid accumulation
Evaluation of joint and bony surfaces
Monitoring the progress of healing
Monitoring the effect of training on soft tissue structures, especially tendons and ligaments.
Both Drs Rippy and Jacques are members of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology which is dedicated to furthering lameness diagnostics and treatment through the use of ultrasound imaging. This allows us to take advanced imaging for the diagnosis of lameness to another level.
Riverbend Equine Medical Center PLLC PO Box 1498 Celina, Texas 75009 Phone (972) 382-8331