STANDING MRI FOR THE RACEHORSE

Product catalog summary

Introduction
Standing MRI (sMRI) is highlighted as a critical tool for diagnosing fetlock bone diseases in racehorses. It offers a safer alternative to traditional MRI by eliminating the need for general anesthesia, thus reducing risks and costs while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.

Why MRI is the Gold Standard
MRI is the only imaging modality capable of detecting key changes in fetlock bone disease, such as sclerosis and bone edema. These conditions can lead to severe outcomes like fractures or chronic performance issues if not identified early.

Case Study: Improving Performance
A case study of a 4-year-old Thoroughbred racehorse illustrates the effectiveness of sMRI. Initially presenting with fetlock distension and poor performance, the horse showed significant improvement after rest, as monitored by sMRI. Over eight months, the horse's condition improved from mild lameness to complete resolution of symptoms.

Case Study: Preventing Injuries
sMRI can detect potential fracture lines not visible on radiographs, allowing for early intervention. In one case, a horse with mild fetlock pain showed a marked fluid signal increase on sMRI, indicating a risk of fracture. Treatment options included rest or surgical intervention with bone screws.

Conclusion
Standing MRI is increasingly used in Thoroughbred practice to prevent catastrophic fractures by identifying pre-fracture pathology. It is a valuable tool for maintaining racehorse health and performance.

Contact Information
Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging provides contact details for further inquiries, emphasizing their role in advancing equine diagnostic imaging.

Catalog excerpts

STANDING MRI I FOR THG RACGHORSe Standing for Safety

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WHY ? WHY DO RACEHORSES GET FETLOCK BONE DISEASE ? WHY IS MRI THE GOLD STANDARD FOR FETLOCK IMAGING ? When bone remodeling in the distal metacarpal condyles fails, or becomes excessive, the bone is less able to resist the stresses placed upon it. This can result in either sudden, catastrophic failure or chronic, performance-limiting disease. MRI is the only modality that can detect both the cardinal changes in racehorse fetlock bone disease; • sclerosis (increased bone density) • bone edema (abnormal fluid in the bone) Failure of bone modeling response Standing MRI avoids the risk Standing MRI...

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PREVENT INJURIESCASE STUDY 1. The fetlock radiograph from a horse exhibiting mild signs of fetlock pain appears normal but the sMRI taken on the same day tells a different story. 2. sMRI shows marked fluid signal increase along a potential condylar fracture line. This fetlock is at immediate risk of fracture. However, it may be treated with rest alone, or with bone screws to support the line of weakness. December - 4 y.o. Thoroughbred racehorse with fetlock distension and poor racing performance. A POD lesion (arrow) identified in a racehorse in training with joint swelling, mild lameness and...

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Standing Equine MRI "For some time now Standing MRI using the Hallmarq scanner has forced the equine foot to give up its long held secrets. The fetlock has since become the natural 'next frontier' Increasingly in Thoroughbred practice, MRI can be used to rule in or rule out the presence of assumed pre-fracture pathology with the aim of preventing catastrophic fracture of the fetlock joint." Sarah Powell, MA VetMB, MRCVS Rossdales and Partners, Newmarket, UK Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, Inc. 1275 W. Roosevelt Rd., Suite 116 West Chicago, IL 60185, USA +1 978.266.1201 Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging,...

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