Diagnosis and Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries of the Thoracic Limb

Diagnosis of forelimb lameness can be challenging, and soft tissue injuries are often overlooked as a source of significant forelimb lameness. Without localization and identification, forelimb lameness and suspected soft tissue injuries are often treated with “rest and NSAIDs.” However, if this management approach fails, these cases can become frustrating for both the clinician and the client. The purpose of this discussion is to systematically review the orthopedic examination with a focus on commonly overlooked soft tissue injuries, to evaluate diagnostic modality options, and to discuss various treatment protocols for specific soft tissue injuries.