Ultrasonographic measurements on normal tarsocrural articular recesses in the Standardbred Trotter horse

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide reference measurements from the\r\nthree tibiotarsal synovial recesses (plantarolateral, plantaromedial,\r\nand dorsomedial) from both right and left sound equine hock joints. For\r\nthis study, proximodistal and plantarodorsal (PLD) diameters were\r\nultrasonographically obtained from the synovial recesses of 24 sound\r\nStandardbred Trotter horses. A comparison between right and left limb\r\nmeasurements was also made. The dorsomedial recess has shown a variable\r\nPLD diameter (0.11-0.90cm), although the plantarolateral recess has\r\nshown the most variable dimensions (0.3-1.5cm). In many cases, great\r\ndifferences have been found between two tarsi within the same horse; in\r\ncontrast, the plantaromedial recess of the tarsocrural joint has a more\r\nhomogeneous PLD diameter (0.6-0.9cm). Ultimately, the assessed\r\nechographic limits for the studied tarsal structures could serve to\r\naccurately evaluate the pathological variations for this breed.