J. Schumacher et al., Effects of analgesia of the discal interphalangeal joint or palmar digitalnerves on lameness caused by solar pain in horses, VET SURGERY, 29(1), 2000, pp. 54-58
Objective-To determine if pain of the dorsal margin of the sole in horses c
an be attenuated by anesthesia of either the distal interphalangeal (DIP) j
oint or the palmar digital (PD) nerves.
Study Design-A unilateral forelimb lameness was induced by creating solar p
ain. Response to administration of local anesthetic or saline solution into
the DTP joint and to administration of local anesthetic around the PD nerv
es was evaluated.
Animals-Six horses.
Methods-Lameness was induced by creating pressure on the dorsal margin of t
he sole by screwing set-screws into a nut welded to the inside of each bran
ch of a shoe. Gaits were evaluated before and after application of set-scre
ws and after a local anesthetic or saline solution was administered into th
e DIP joint and, in a second trial, after a local anesthetic was injected a
round the PD nerves. Gaits recorded on videotape were evaluated, and lamene
ss scores were assigned to each gait.
Results-Lameness scores were high after application of set-screws and remai
ned high after saline solution was administered into the DTP joint. Scores
decreased significantly (P less than or equal to .05) after a local anesthe
tic was administered into the DTP joint or around the PD nerves.
Conclusions-Analgesia of the DIP joint or the PD nerves desensitizes at lea
st a portion of the sole.
Clinical Relevance-Pain arising from the sole should not be excluded as a c
ause of lameness when lameness is attenuated by analgesia of the DIP joint
or PD nerves. (C)Copyright 2000 by The American College of Veterinary Surge
ons.