Very Common
Less Common
Related Observations
Your vet might choose this diagnostic test if you were making these observations.
Diagnostic
Tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what is wrong with your horse, in order to reach a diagnosis.
Cost: Under $100
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
YOUR VET MAY PERFORM
Flexion Exam
Cost: Under $100
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
Summary
Flexions are an integral part of the lameness exam, and may help to define the location of a problem. Following an initial assessment of lameness at the trot, where a grade is assigned to the severity of the lameness, a flexion exam is performed.
In this simple procedure, a specific region of the limb is placed under strain or compression for a given period of time (in our practice usually 60-90 seconds, depending on the location), and at the end of this time period, the horse is immediately trotted off.
The horse's gait is then analyzed for abnormalities, and any change in degree of lameness is noted and recorded. If there is an injury or pain from within the flexed region, the presumption is that the lameness will appear worse after flexion.
Flexion exams are sometimes used to make a subtle problem more visible. Some problems are made much worse by flexion and others less so. An experienced lameness examiner understands this, and is looking for subtle variations.
In this simple procedure, a specific region of the limb is placed under strain or compression for a given period of time (in our practice usually 60-90 seconds, depending on the location), and at the end of this time period, the horse is immediately trotted off.
The horse's gait is then analyzed for abnormalities, and any change in degree of lameness is noted and recorded. If there is an injury or pain from within the flexed region, the presumption is that the lameness will appear worse after flexion.
Flexion exams are sometimes used to make a subtle problem more visible. Some problems are made much worse by flexion and others less so. An experienced lameness examiner understands this, and is looking for subtle variations.
Why A Vet Chooses This Diagnostic
Related Diagnostics
Other diagnostic tests that might be used in combination or with this one or instead of this one.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
This test could rule out or confirm any of the following diagnoses.
Very Common
Less Common
BENEFITS
Flexions are used after a baseline lameness score is established to add information to the study and help reach a diagnosis. Flexions can be a good general indicator of the location of a problem in the limb. LIMITATIONS
Flexion exams are nothing more than a general screening test that can narrow down a problem to a general location. They cannot define specifically the region or the condition causing lameness.
Due to the mechanics of the equine limb, multiple joints are almost always flexed together. Further diagnostics are usually needed to locate a problem with greater precision.
Different horses are more or less affected by flexion exams, further complicating the examiner's interpretation. Flexion exams without corresponding lameness must be viewed with suspicion. They may or may not indicate a problem.
From the standpoint of a pre-purchase exam (and without lameness) they may not contribute to any prediction of soundness in the future and may even be misleading.
your role
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- If the flexion is positive, but there is no lameness, what does this mean?
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
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