Infrared Thermography
Infrared thermography can be a useful adjunct to the other diagnostic techniques and is most useful for early identification of inflammation in soft tissue and bone. It also can be used to monitor the healing process. We find it most useful for tendon, foot and back problems.
Thermography measures skin surface temperature by detecting changes in cutaneous blood flow in the horse. The blood flow can be altered in response to underlying injuries and cases of somatic dysfunction. An infrared scanner converts radiation emitted from the skin into electrical impulses which are transferred onto a thermogram (colour visual image) on a video screen. Different colours indicate variations in temperature, red being the hottest and indicating areas of inflammation.