DITI Detecting Multiple Issues

HISTORY AND SUBJECTIVE COMPLAINTS:
•Problems started in 2006 with head shaking.
•Tooth infection was found in June 2007 and left cheek tooth was removed a month later (scar to area of operation, it can fill with pus and tends to wheeze).
•New saddle was fitted in 2009 and physiotherapy treatments commenced as she was very stiff from behind and tight from poll to wither area.
•Treatment for anaemia commenced from October 2009 for three weeks.
•February 2010 she was taken in to Leahurst and was showing slight lameness (front left) on circles. X-rays were taken and navicular changes were found, when nerve blocked she still was not sound.
•April 2010 - Returned to Leahurst for a Gamma scan and showed hot spots in elbow and heel. Horse was again nerve blocked but still was not sound. Farrier changed shoes to heart bars and lameness improved. Horse has been brought back to work slowly but still has problems.
•During training the left hind leg becomes disunited. Horse has problems with right canter. Owner has noticed a slight twisting action in left hind and is worried that the problem is in the back.
•Head shaking still occurs and owner would like to see if there are any dental problems still present

THERMOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION:
There is inflammation on both sides of the upper molar regions which may relate to dental infection. One week after this scan  vet confirmed a dental infection and Jazz was placed on a course of antibiotics. We reviewed dental issues one month later and infection was understandably still present.
This was thought to be responsible for head shaking.

There was inflammation to the left of the wither area which corresponds to the thermal asymmetry seen on the saddle (next image). There was local inflammation centrally over the low thoracic spine which appears consistent with joint dysfunction.
 

Pressure from the saddle was also effecting Jazz's movement. Our saddle testing can also detect the riders weight bearing and position in saddle.

The left and right girth areas (5th rib area) show myofascial patterns which harbored myofascial trigger points. After one month myofascial patterns increased but were successfully treated with acupuncture. These trigger points can restrict movment can cause discomfort if they are not treated.