Skip to content 
Bone Scan Reveals Promising Diagnosis in Young Barrel Prospect
When a spirited 3-year-old gelding began training for a future in barrel racing, no one expected his athletic journey to be cut short before it began. Within weeks of starting professional training, the gelding developed significant hind limb lameness, and veterinary intervention was necessary.
An initial veterinary exam, including a physical examination and gait evaluation, digital radiographs, and ultrasounds, was performed. A suspicious region was identified in the fetlock, and empirical therapy of this joint was instituted. This treatment did not result in the resolution of lameness, and the reality of his persistent lameness and no conclusive diagnosis emerged. Was this something that would end his career before it began?
The gelding’s owner wasn’t ready to give up.
A New Perspective at Cave Creek Equine
The case came to Cave Creek Equine™ Sports Medicine & Surgery, where Drs. Walker and Vidal performed a comprehensive lameness exam and joint/nerve blocking, finding no source for the lameness.
One subtle clue stood out: mild atrophy in the horse’s right rump—an area difficult to evaluate through blocking alone. This critical observation, along with the lack of other significant clinical examination findings, led our team to recommend nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) to investigate possible bone or deep soft tissue to bone attachment injury.
The Power of Bone Scan in Sports Medicine
Using our on-site nuclear scintigraphy capabilities, Dr. Walker conducted a bone scan. The images clearly revealed increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the right tuber ischium (seat bone) area next to the tail head, indicating an injury at this site and leading her to believe there may be an injury to the muscle group that attaches to the bone at this location.
This type of injury is difficult to diagnose without advanced imaging, as it is uncommon and not an area that is easy to interpret on standard physical evaluation. This type of injury is similar to a type of hamstring tear that can be seen in human athletes.
This ultrasound image of the left and right tuber ischium shows how significant the injury is on the right side.
From Career-Ending to Promise
Thanks to the diagnostic sensitivity of the bone scan and the experience of our equine sports medicine team, this gelding was given a dramatically different outlook. No surgery is required at this time. Instead, a carefully monitored, global rehabilitation program at ESMR has been constructed specifically for him, including targeted loading of the affected muscle and regular ultrasound imaging to track healing progress.
With time, commitment, and ongoing sports medicine oversight, this gelding has an excellent chance of returning to training and achieving success as a competitive barrel horse.
Why This Case Matters
This case is a powerful example of how advanced diagnostics and specialized training in equine sports medicine can change a horse’s future. Bone scan isn’t just a high-tech option—it’s a critical diagnostic tool when conventional methods fall short.
At Cave Creek Equine™, we don’t just have the equipment—we know how to use it to guide meaningful, life-changing decisions for our equine athletes.
Trust Your Horse’s Care to Arizona’s Equine Sports Medicine Experts
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.
