Introduction

Overview

• Skeletal radiography allows assesment of bone and, to a limited extent, soft tissue.
  For lamenesss examination radiology should follow clinical examination and localization of the site of lameness.Screening radiographs of the entire limb are unrewarding and may lead to erroneous diagnosis.
• For radiographic technique see:
  • Radiography: pelvis Radiography: pelvis.
  • Radiography: scapula Radiography: scapula.
  • Radiography: humerus Radiography: humerus.
  • Radiography: antebrachium Radiography: antebrachium.
  • Radiography: carpus and forefoot Radiography: carpus and forefoot.
  • Radiography: femur Radiography: femur.
  • Radiography: tibia/fibia Radiography: tibia / fibula.
  • Radiography: hock/foot Radiography: tarsus and hindfoot.

Radiographic considerations

• Detail screens and film combinations should be used for most examinations.
• A grid and fast screen may be required for examination of the humerus, pelvis and femur in large dogs.
• A low kV high mAs technique maximizes contrast.
• Due to geometric effects of the diverging beam radiography should be centered at the point of interest.
  For angular limb deformities separate radiographs of adjacent joints should be taken (in addition to the entire limb) to allow joint evaluation without geometric distortion.
• Orthoganol views are required as significant pathology, eg fractures, luxation may be missed on a single view.
• In examination of suspected joint instability, eg ligament injury, 'stressed' views may be helpful.
  This can be done by using sandbags and ties - manual restraint is not required.

Restraint

• Skeletal radiography usually requires sedation but some painful condition may require anesthesia to facilitate positioning.
• In trauma patients evaluation and treatment of concurrent thoracic, abdominal or CNS injury should be undertaken before skeletal radiography.

Indications

Interpretation

Additional studies

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.