Radiography and radiology of the carpus and proximal aspect of the metacarpus of the horse

The carpus is a complex joint and interpretation of radiographs can be challenging. Pathology in this region may result from stress-induced damage, or from acute injury. Stress-induced osteochondral damage occurs at predictable sites, especially in the racehorse, but acute trauma leading to osteochondral changes or soft tissue injury may occur at non-predictive sites in any horse. Although facilities for scintigraphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are becoming increasing available, radiography, together with ultrasonography, is the main imaging modality available in practice. This article describes the radiographic projections for this region and highlights the conditions commonly seen radiographically in practice.