Thermography in the assessment of equine lameness

Abstract

Infrared thermography pictorially represents the surface temperature of an object. It is a noninvasive method for detecting superficial inflammation and thus can be used in lameness diagnosis. Thermography is prone to artifacts, and, consequently, this has led some people to doubt its clinical applicability. With experience and care in interpretation, thermography can be a useful method for lameness evaluation. The aim of this study was to present further clinical information about infrared thermal cameras and to compare the diagnostic yields of thermography, radiography, and ultrasonography. Forming the animal material of this study were 47 horses with lameness. The extremities of the horses were evaluated via thermal camera following clinical examination. After this procedure, radiographic and ultrasonographic images were taken for the suspected region in all cases. The level of diagnosis with these techniques was scored and a comparison of the diagnostic methods was evaluated statistically. It was found that thermography can be a useful adjunct to lameness evaluation as part of integrated clinical and other imaging methods.