Radiography and Ultrasonography of the Stifle

Stifle injuries are common in sport and pleasure horses and ultrasonographic examination has become part of the routine imaging assessment of the equine stifle
in combination with radiography. While radiography is essential to fully assess bone, ultrasonography has been established as a reliable imaging modality to assess synovial components, menisci and meniscal ligaments, collateral ligaments and even cartilage and subchondral bone of accessible areas of the joint. The increasing use in the field
of a full radiographic examination including a good quality caudo-cranial view, the better quality of ultrasonographic images and the increased clinical experience have changed the diagnostic capabilities of the equine practitioner. This presentation aim
to give tricks and tips to better obtain and interpret stifle radiographs and to correctly perform a complete ultrasound scan. It will review radiographic anatomy, describe some important radiographic signs, illustrate the technique for a complete and reliable ultrasonographic evaluation of the stifle and describe in detail useful ultrasonographic signs of femoro-tibial derangement less commonly quoted. […]