Post‐anaesthetic Forelimb Lameness in Horses

Abstract

SUMMARY Clinical and biochemical observations on eleven cases of post‐anaesthetic forelimb lameness were compared with similar studies on horses anaesthetised in lateral recumbency making an uneventful recovery. It is suggested that the condition resulted from muscular ischaemia during the recumbent phase. RÉSUMÉ Les observations cliniques et biochimiques sur 11 cas de boiteries post anesthésiques sont comparées à celles de même nature faites sur des chevaux ayant été anesthésiés sans suite aucune. Il semblerait que les boiteries soient, dans ces cas mentionnés, le résultat d'une ischémie musculaire durant la phase de decubitus. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Klinische und biochemische Beobachtungen an einem Material von elf post‐narkotischen Lahmheiten der Vordergliedmassen werden verglichen mit ähnlichen Untersuchungen an Pferden, die in Seitenlage narkotisiert wurden und sich normal erholten. Es wird vermutet, dass der Zustand auf eine Muskelischaemie während des Liegens zurückzuführen sei.

The relationship of muscle perfusion and metabolism with cardiovascular variables before and after detomidine injection during propofol–ketamine anaesthesia in horses

“…1990; Steffey et al. 1993a; Trim & Mason 1973; Waldron‐Mease 1977). Myopathy and fractures have been reported to account for 30.4% of the deaths that occur in relation to equine anaesthesia (Johnston 2000).…”

The Effect of Dobutamine and Bolus Crystalloid Fluids on the Cardiovascular Function of Isoflurane Anaesthetised Horses

“…Post-anaesthetic myopathy is caused by muscle ischaemia that develops during anaesthesia (Trim andMason 1973, Lindsay 1980) and/or subsequent reperfusion injury, resulting in muscle necrosis. Factors that contribute to muscle ischaemia include hypoxaemia, poor body positioning, prolonged duration of anaesthesia, and poor padding on the surgical table.…”

Complications during recovery from anaesthesia in the equine patient

“…In neuropathies, muscle swelling and hardness are absent, there is no pain and levels of CK, AST and lactate are normal or only slightly elevated. The brachial plexus and femoral or peroneal nerves are most commonly affected (Trim and Mason 1973;Dodman et al 1988;Dyson et al 1988). Triceps myositis may mimic brachial plexus neuropathy, in so much as both present as a patient with a dropped elbow; however, extensor function remains intact in myopathy cases, and pain can be elicited (Fig 4).…”