Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Vacuum phenomenon in a horse's foot joint - what to know
By Specht, T E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1990·Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Vacuum phenomenon in the metatarsophalangeal joint of a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
During a radiographic exam (X-ray) of a lame horse's metatarsophalangeal joint (the joint in the back leg where the toe meets the foot), a vacuum phenomenon was accidentally created. This same effect was later reproduced in a healthy horse when its metacarpophalangeal joint (the joint in the front leg) was positioned in a certain way during the X-ray. The vacuum phenomenon happens when the surfaces of the joint are pulled apart, which could lead to a mistaken diagnosis of a bone defect or fracture. It's important for veterinarians to be aware of this phenomenon to avoid misdiagnosing joint issues in horses.
Abstract
Vacuum phenomenon was induced inadvertently during radiographic examination of a metatarsophalangeal joint of a lame horse. The phenomenon was recreated in a sound horse when a metacarpophalangeal joint was radiographed in a stress-flexed position. Distraction of apposing articular surfaces may induce the vacuum phenomenon, which could result in misdiagnosis of an osteochondral defect or fracture.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2211326/