The Challenge of Shoulder Lameness and Treatment

The nightmare of challenging thoracic orthopedic lameness is encapsulated with the discussion of which joint is affected… elbow or shoulder… or other? The vagaries of shoulder pathology along with the rising tide of elbow dysplasia patients of all types makes answering the shelbow question a real and often frustrating challenge that we all need help with. The gait characteristics, examination techniques, clinical findings, and diagnostics techniques of choice to confirm and differentiate shoulder lameness will be discussed. The common shoulder joint pathologies and possible differential diagnoses will be explored, and current shoulder treatment modalities investigated.