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Neurologic Causes of Thoracic Limb Lameness
Sharon C Kerwin1, Amanda R Taylor2
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, TAMU 4474, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice
|February 9, 2021
Summary
Thoracic limb lameness can stem from neurologic conditions affecting nerves, the spinal cord, or muscles. Advanced diagnostics like MRI are crucial for identifying these often-overlooked causes of lameness.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Comparative Medicine
Background:
- Thoracic limb lameness is commonly attributed to orthopedic issues.
- Neurologic conditions affecting the nerves, spinal cord, or muscles can also cause thoracic limb lameness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight important neurologic differentials for thoracic limb lameness.
- To emphasize the role of nerve root compression in causing lameness.
Main Methods:
- Review of common neurologic causes of lameness.
- Discussion of diagnostic approaches.
Main Results:
- Neurologic diseases causing lameness include intervertebral disc extrusions, wobbler disease, brachial plexus avulsion, neuritis, and peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
- Compression or destruction of cervical nerve roots leads to non-weight-bearing lameness (root signature).
Conclusions:
- Neurologic conditions are significant causes of thoracic limb lameness.
- Advanced diagnostics such as magnetic resonance imaging are essential for accurate diagnosis.
