ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE STIFLE

Abstract

Ten stifles from 5 clinically sound adult horses were scanned by high‐resolution ultrasound. Normal anatomic structures seen consistently included the subcutaneous tissue, the medial, middle and lateral patellar ligaments, the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, the femoral trochlear ridges, and menisci. Cruciate ligaments could not be visualized in the standing horse. Four stifle specimens obtained from 2 of these normal horses at necropsy were scanned in a water bath to create optimal technical conditions. The sonographic appearance of stifle specimens was similar to that found in live horses. Results from ultrasonographic examination of 3 horses with stifle abnormalities were described to illustrate some applications of ultrasonography in the evaluation of the equine stifle. In these horses, ultrasound was a valuable diagnostic tool to study joint effusion, synovial thickening, articular cartilaginous and subchondral defects, and soft tissue/bony injuries.