Fractured Metacarpal – Equine

History

The patient had a history of lameness in the left fore limb.

Regional Screen with Digital Thermal Imaging

The patient was acclimated to environmental temperature and remained calm during image capture. Multiple digital thermal images were captured with a Digatherm IR camera.

Interpretation of the Initial Thermal Images

The anterior to posterior thermal image of the fore limbs showed an asymmetrical area of hyperthermia on the medial side of the left metacarpal area (Fig. 1).

Additional Diagnostics

Radiographs revealed an old horizontal fracture and new longitudinal fractures of the metacarpal bone (Fig. 2).

The patient blocked sound with a low 4 point and was negative to intra-articular analgesia. An ultrasound of the area was normal.