Comparative characteristic of ultrasonography and radiography in diagnostics of equine musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Evaluate the effectiveness of two visual research methods in the combined method of diagnosis of abnormalities of the limbs in horses, based on the obtained results of the generated comparative characteristics of application of radiography and ultrasonography in sporting horses. The study included 60 horses of the Trakehner breed at the age of 8-12 years, the average live weight =350-400kg. All horses in the period of the research work performed daily training sessions under the current regulations training. Training and competition were regulated according to the schedule eventing tests, which include: dressage, field tests (cross-country) and show jumping (overcoming obstacles). This type of equestrian sport is characterized by high risk of injury, unlike jumping and dressage. Conducted complex diagnostic tests according to current standard techniques, which includes collecting a General medical history, initial clinical examination, thermometry and instrumental examinations (ultrasonography and radiography). The clinical examination included: palpation of the affected limb, examination in a calm state and under stress, flexion tests, palpation of the pulse on the limb and determination of the type of lameness. Limb ultrasonography reveals soft tissue, tendon and ligament injuries, but is of no value in the diagnosis of bone and joint pathologies. Radiography, on the contrary, carries valuable information for the diagnosis of fractures, inflammatory diseases of the joints, but does not reflect the state of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus. On the basis of the conducted researches we have found that the use of only one method of functional diagnosis can lead to a false logic of the development of the pathogenesis of diseases of the musculoskeletal system of horses, and as a consequence iatrogenic, and further to the culling of high-value horses from the sport. For the production of a verified diagnosis of diseases of the musculoskeletal system of horses, in our view, it is necessary to use complex diagnostic studies, which must include data of the anamnesis, clinical examination, laboratory blood tests and the results of ultrasonography and radiography of the limbs.