Nuclear Scintigraphy in Arizona
Advanced Bone Scans for Detecting Lameness and Subtle Orthopedic Injuries
At Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery, we use nuclear scintigraphy, also known as a bone scan, to detect hard-to-find injuries that may be contributing to lameness or performance issues. This advanced imaging technique helps our specialists identify areas of inflammation or stress deep within the bone that may not be visible on radiographs or ultrasounds, especially in complex or multi-limb cases.
What Is Nuclear Scintigraphy?
Nuclear scintigraphy is a diagnostic imaging tool that highlights bone activity at the cellular level. It’s particularly valuable for horses showing signs of lameness without an obvious source of pain, or when conventional imaging hasn’t provided definitive answers.
Here’s how it works:
- A small, safe amount of radioactive tracer is injected into the horse’s bloodstream.
- The tracer collects in areas of increased bone turnover, such as inflammation, stress, or injury.
- A specialized gamma camera then captures these areas of “hot spots,” which show up as bright signals on the scan.
- Horses remain standing during the procedure with mild sedation—no general anesthesia required.
- Most horses return home the following day, and our veterinarians review the images the same day.
When Is a Bone Scan Recommended?
Nuclear scintigraphy is especially useful in cases such as:
- Subtle or shifting lameness that is difficult to localize
- Poor performance with no clear clinical findings
- Suspected pelvic, spinal, or proximal limb injuries that are difficult to image with standard radiography
- Monitoring bone healing or stress in rehabilitation cases
This tool is often used to guide further diagnostics, such as radiographs, ultrasound, or MRI, by narrowing the focus to the exact region of concern.
Benefits of Equine Bone Scans in Sports Medicine
- Early Detection: Identifies subtle changes in bone metabolism before structural damage appears on X-rays.
- Whole-Body Imaging: Allows evaluation of the entire skeleton or specific regions as needed.
- Diagnostic Clarity: Pinpoints the location of concern when other imaging modalities fall short.
- Treatment Planning: Helps guide targeted therapies or rehabilitation strategies.
- Progress Monitoring: Useful in tracking response to treatment over time.
Trust Your Horse’s Care to Arizona’s Equine Sports Medicine Experts
At Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery, nuclear scintigraphy is more than an advanced diagnostic—it’s a tool we use to uncover the source of mystery lameness, plan smarter treatment strategies, and help performance horses heal more effectively. Whether you’re facing a complex case or looking to confirm a suspected injury, our experienced team and cutting-edge imaging can make all the difference in your horse’s recovery.
We’ll partner with your veterinarian, or you can work directly with us. What’s most important is getting your horse back to peak performance using the most accurate diagnostic tools available.
For more information or to schedule a visit with a sports medicine specialist, please contact us at 623-581-5508.
