ABSTRACT
I. Radiography of the Fetlock 1. Views of the Routine Radiographic Examination A routine radiographic examination of the fetlock should consist of five projections. Three special projections are taken to evaluate the palmarodistal MC III, dorsodistal MCIII and the abaxial recess of the proximal sesamoid bone. The five routine views (Figures 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, and 8-5) are:
1. Dorsopalmar (DP) 2. Lateromedial (LM) 3. Flexed lateromedial (F-LM) 4. Medial oblique (MO) 5. Lateral oblique (LO)
Figure 8-1. The D30°Pr-PaDiO view allows evaluation of the joint space width (1), the trabecular bony detail of the subchondral bone of distal MCIII (2) and proximal P1, the medial and lateral periosteal surfaces (3), the periarticular margins of the joint (4), and the medial and lateral soft tissue thickness. The axial (5) and abaxial (6) regions of the proximal sesamoid should be evaluated for productive and destructive bony changes. The dorsal border of proximal P1 can be differentiated from the palmar border on the DP by the dorsal eminences (7) which are located near midline and slope abaxially while the palmar border is identified by the palmar eminences (8) which are more proximal abaxial and slope distally towards midline. Located at midline are the sagittal ridge (9) and the sagittal groove (10)
Figure 8-2. The LM view permits evaluation of the joint capsule, the dorsal and palmar periarticular regions of distal MCIII (1) and proximal P1 (2), and the subchondral bone of the condyle of MCIII (3), proximal P1 (4) and the sesamoid bones (5). The dorsal and palmar periosteal surfaces and cortices of MCIII, P1 and P2 and, when included on the radiograph, the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints should also be interpreted.
