Diagnostic Nerve and Joint Blocks
Diagnostic Nerve and Joint Blocks
What are nerve and joint blocks?
Nerve and joint blocks are
strategic
diagnostic procedures where a local anesthetic is specifically
injected along a nerve pathway or into a particular joint
. By
temporarily numbing a certain area,
these blocks help pinpoint the
source of lameness.
How are they performed?
The
local anesthetic
is injected
either perineurally or intra
-
articularly into the joint under sterile
conditions. This temporarily blocks nerve conduction in that area, resulting in your horse having
reduced o
r no sensation in that area.
Sub
sequently
we
will observe how your horse moves after
each block to determine if there's any improvement in lameness.
The nerve blocks on the limb are
performed step by step, starting distally in the hoof area and progressing
proximally closer to the
horse's body.
Why are they important?
An improvement in your horse's lameness
following
targeted local anesthesia helps us
localize
the
area causing the lameness.
What happens next?
Based on the results of the nerve and joint bl
ocks, targeted diagnostic tests such as X
-
rays,
ultrasound examinations, or a CT scan can be
conducted
to identify the exact cause of the lameness.
Following this, we can explore the most effective treatment options
tailored to address the identified
issue
.
Conclusion
D
iagnostic nerve and joint blocks are pivotal in equine lameness examinations, aiding in pinpointing
the source of lameness. This leads to t
argeted
imaging
examinations
to precisely
diagnose
the cause
of lameness and formulate a
treatment
plan aimed at restoring your horse's comfort and mobility.