304 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
weight‐bearing lameness may be noted. A his
tory of a lack of response to rest and NSAIDs is
also common.
Patients present with a unilateral lameness
ranging from a mildly shortened stride in
the affected thoracic limb at a walk or trot
to a significant weight‐bearing lameness
(Marcellin‐Little et al., 2007). In chronic cases,
atrophy may be noted with thoracic limb cir
cumference decreased in the affected limb as
compared with the contralateral limb (Figure
12.12). Decreased extension in the shoulder
is common. Shoulder muscle spasm and dis
comfort on abduction are consistent findings.
To appropriately engage the components
of the craniomedial shoulder, the elbow and
shoulder must be placed in full extension
with concurrent abduction of the thoracic
limb. The scapula at the level of the acromion
process must be stabilized with the evalua
tor’s hand to achieve a passive stretch of
the craniomedial shoulder components. In
severe cases, a slight thud or subluxation
may be felt when abducting the shoulder. If
a concurrent supraspinatus tendinopathy is
present, pain may be noted when placing the
shoulder into flexion (direct stretch of the
supraspinatus) or on direct palpation of its
tendon and/or point of insertion.
Figure 12.11 Agility maneuvers such as repeated jump–turn combinations and performing the weave poles at fast
speeds place stress on the soft tissues of the medial shoulder. Source: Photo by Rich Knecht Photography.
Figure 12.12 Measurement of forelimb muscle mass
using a Gulick girthometer.