Orthopaedics
Please click a problem below for more information
Staff | Facilities | Clinical Problems
Staff
Dr Sue Dyson MA VetMB DEO PhD FRCVS
Dr Rachel Murray MA VetMB MS PhD MRCVS Dip ACVS Dip ECVS
Mrs Shelley Down BVSc MRCVS
About Orthopaedics
The orthopaedic clinical team offers a fully comprehensive referral service for the diagnosis and treatment of lameness and other problems of the musculoskeletal and associated neurological systems. All our staff have received specialist training in orthopaedics and imaging, and have considerable experience, training and understanding in relation to competitive equestrian sports. The senior clinicians all hold an American, European or British Diploma, which requires at least five years of specialist training, and have international recognition for their expertise in this area.
Please view How we help your horse to read details of what can be expected in these examinations and orthopaedic research.
Clinical problems
Lameness
Lameness occurs when a horse is either experiencing pain during locomotion or there is a physical limitation to demonstrating a normal gait. For subtle lameness, the horse may only show a loss of performance or resentment of a particular type of activity. As horses are usually required to be an athlete in some capacity, many of the lameness problems that we see are subtle.
Back Pain
Back pain may be primary in nature or secondary to lameness or gait change, especially of the hind limbs. Clinical signs range from poor performance to resistance, rearing and bucking. These horses usually require Diagnostic Imaging including scintigraphy and radiography if primary in nature. Secondary back pain may be alleviated by treatment and resolution of the primary issue, with concurrent physiotherapy treatment.
Reduced Performance
Reduced performance may be the result of many factors. Performance may change at a competitive level, or the horses' 'way of going' may differ to that which has been considered normal. These cases are challenging and require expertise and use of appropriate facilities and staff to ascertain whether the change is due to an orthopaedic, neurological or medical problem. See poor performance for more details.
