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Radiography (x-ray) is the most commonly used imaging technique in horses. In practice it is often performed using portable machines for the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system, the head and parts of the spine. At our hospital we have several portable machines as well as a state-of-the art high output generator, which is more powerful than portable machines. Our cutting-edge high output generator is ideal for imaging the more difficult areas such as the chest, the vertebral bodies and the pelvis of the horse for the evaluation of lung problems, lameness or poor performance cases.

How does it work?

• Radiography uses x-rays which are electromagnetic waves produced in the x-ray tube.
• After travelling through the body, the x-rays are detected by a plate.
• In our Digital Radiography (DR) system the image is displayed directly on a screen and are digitally stored.
• The body is composed of materials of different radiodensities and thickness causing x-rays to be absorbed differentially. For example, bone has a higher radiodensity and so absorbs more x-rays than soft tissue.
• This provides the basis for the image contrast that allows differentiation between structures on radiographs.

What does it show?

• Changes in tissue density, shape, size, outline and position of structures.
• Remodelling of joints in cases of osteoarthritis.
• Fragments and cyst-like lesion of bones in disease processes such as osteochondrosis (OCD).
• Fractures and dislocations (luxations).
• Changes of the density of lung tissue.
• Soft tissue lesions e.g. remodelling at the insertion of ligaments and tendons.
• Changes of the spinous processes in the back. 

When do we use it?

• In lame horses to assess the musculoskeletal system in the limbs but also the back and pelvis.
• In poor performance horses.
• In horses where we suspect a problem with the chest.
• To evaluate the extent and nature of wounds.

X-rays of the hock in two horses. The left image shows the normal appearance of the distal (lower) aspect of the tibia. In the right image there are several bone fragments (‘chips’) at this level (red arrow), consistent with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). 

Two x-rays of two different horses. The image on the left shows the normal appearance of the small tarsal joints, where a straight radiolucent (black) line is bordered by smoothly outlined bone. The image on the right was taken in a horse with moderate osteoarthritis of the small tarsal joint. Note the irregular outline of the joint space with an irregular ill-defined radiolucent (dark) area (red arrow) as well as the irregular remodelling of the bones (orange arrow).

X-ray of the distal limb of a horse with a fracture of its pedal bone.