Lameness evaluation
UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital clinicians, including experienced surgery specialists, carry out lameness evaluations. You can be referred to us or we can provide a second opinion on lameness cases.
Lameness causes and management
We evaluate, diagnose and treat common causes of lameness including:
- hoof wall or sole damage
- laminitis
- injury or degeneration or the podotrochlear (navicular) apparatus
- degenerative joint disease
- flexor tendon and suspensory ligament injuries
- osteochondrosis
- stifle lameness resulting from soft tissue injuries
- stress fractures
- angular and flexural limb deformity
- wounds, sequestrum and septic arthritis.
Our diagnostic examination
During your appointment, we’ll work closely with our in-house equine specialists to carry out an advanced diagnostic examination (work-up) of your horse.
We will:
- ask you to hand walk and trot your horse into our trot-up area or ride your horse in our full-size sand arena (if required)
- observe your horse's lameness
- administer diagnostic nerve or joint blocks to anaesthetise your horse's foot region
- localise and confirm where your horse's lameness originates
- further diagnose the problem using diagnostic imaging techniques, such as:
- Radiology
- Ultrasound
- Standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Nuclear scintigraphy/bone scans.
Our treatment options
After we've carried out a diagnostic work-up, our specialists will discuss your horse's prognosis and available treatment options with you.
Treatments may include:
- remedial farriery
- diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy
- ultrasound guided neck, back and sacroiliac injections
- surgical correction of wounds, angular and flexural deformities
- fracture repair
- arthrodesis/facilitated ankylosis
- autologous-conditioned serum (IRAP)
- platelet rich plasma (PRP)
- structured exercise programs
- physiotherapy.
Our Master farrier is available for consultation and remedial farriery procedures if we diagnose your horse with lameness from the feet.
Make an appointment
You'll need a referral from your vet before you book. You can be referred internally if your horse is a patient with us.
After referral: to make an appointment, phone us on 07 5460 1799.
Business hours
Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm