Diagnosing and Treating Lameness in Horses
At the EMC, examinations for lameness problems are performed by board-certified faculty clinicians, who can then advise clients about appropriate diagnostic services and recommend treatments.
EMC faculty are experts at finding the cause of your horse's lameness. A full lameness workup includes a variety of tests to determine a proper diagnosis for your horse’s lameness. The exam starts with limb palpation, flexion tests, and trotting or lunging, and then will proceed to specialty diagnostic services in our Imaging department. For a thorough evaluation of your horse’s lameness, we offer:
- joint blocks
- nerve blocks
- digital ultrasound
- digital radiographs
- nuclear scintigraphy
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Our expertise
The EMC’s five board-certified surgeons have extensive experience in evaluating and treating equine lameness. The Center offers:
- An in-house, low-field MRI, where horses' lower limbs can be evaluated while they are sedated and standing.
- A high-field MRI, which captures higher resolution images while the horse is fully anesthetized.
- A state-of-the-art, fully-equipped molecular research laboratory, where cutting-edge regenerative medicine therapies such as stem cell treatments and platelet rich plasma are developed.
- State-of-the-art radiograph equipment, operated by licensed veterinary technicians.
Treating lameness
We offer a full spectrum of specialty services for treating even the most complex lamenesses, including:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Arthroscopy and Tenoscopy
- An on-site Master Farrier
Resources
- Multi-level, aggressive treatments allowed equine patient to recover from debilitating lameness
- Pioneering surgical procedure performed at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center resolves one horse's lameness
- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center uses innovative lameness treatment
- Lameness surgeon joins equine medical center faculty
- Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center offers new treatment for lameness
- Diagnosing Lameness and Other Equine Health Problems (PDF), by Dr. Nat White
- Elective Surgery for Horses (PDF), by Dr. Nat White
About Appointments for Lameness Evaluations and Treatment
- Lameness examinations are performed by appointment and results are evaluated by EMC faculty and reported within 72 hours.
- For an appointment or for more information, call (703) 771-6800 or email emcinfo@vt.edu.
- View the Common Procedures/Average Exam Times (PDF) and the Client Care Packet (PDF) to learn more about what to expect when you bring your horse for a lameness examination.
Faculty clinicians
The following faculty have extensive experience in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating equine lameness.
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