Avaliação da articulação társica de equinos utilizados em práticas de vaquejada, através de diagnóstico por imagem.

Abstract

The hock or tarsal joint of animals who play sports can be significantly compromised, and may present the appearance of various abnormalities. This work aimed to evaluate the tarsal joint of horses vaquejada by methods of diagnostic imaging. We evaluated 31 horses, quarter mile race, aged 3-16 years, using ultrasound device CHISON 600VET ultrasound and x-ray machine 9020H laptop in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba. Using means of ultrasound imaging were evaluated hock joint spaces left and right who showed no differences in the size of the spaces. While by means of radiographic diagnosis in the medial and lateral projections dorsoplantar found that the hock right was the most affected in the presence of osteophytes more frequent intra-articular. According to the function which the animal exerts vaquejada in the presence of abnormalities can be distinguished various be found in a single member as observed in horses "pulled right" (51.61% - 16/31), "pulled left "(29.03% - 9/31) and" mat "(19.35% - 6/31). Through the methods of diagnostic imaging ultrasound and radiographic we could assess the tarsal joint, a method complemented the other. It is the size of the joint spaces and bone structure thus showing abnormalities on site, mainly caused by overload of exercise performed by horses vaquejada.