Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Q&A 16

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A seven-year-old Irish Draught gelding developed a soft swelling on the left hindlimb. This was not associated with any marked lameness, and there was no history of severe trauma to the region.

Question	Answer		Article
What is this condition?	Prepatellar bursitis. The other possibility is a haematoma, which may ultimately lead to this type of bursal swelling.		Link to Article
How could you confirm your diagnosis?	Radiography to confirm a swelling of fluid/soft tissue opacity. Ultrasonography to confirm a fluid-filled structure. Sampling to investigate the nature of the fluid.		Link to Article
How would you treat the condition?	Having confirmed, with a contrast study, that the bursa did not communicate with any other synovial structures, the bursa could be drained and an attempt made to obliterate the secretory synovial lining.		Link to Article