Thermography as an aid in the localization of upper hindlimb lameness

Abstract

Thermographic images were very useful in localizing the area of injury in upper hindlimb lameness of horses. The most frequent problems that were noted were muscle strains or muscle inflammation. Three distinct regions were commonly seen: cranial thigh, caudal thigh, and croup region. In the cranial thigh, distinct hot spots were associated with the quadriceps musculature just proximal to the insertion on the patella. In the caudal thigh the most common area of inflammation was at the musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus muscle. Another area of abnormal thermal patterns commonly seen in the caudal thigh was just caudal to the third trochanter of the femur directly over the biceps femoris. The croup area injuries involved hot spots over the loin region, over the sacroiliac region, over the body of the gluteal muscle, and over the third trochanter.