What are typical clinical signs of suspensory ligament injuries?

• A. Lameness localized to the cannon/fetlock region, swelling or heat along the suspensory ligament, and possible limb instability.
• B. Coughing after exercise.
• C. Hoof pain only at the toe.
• D. Lameness in the neck.

Answer: (A)

Injuries to the suspensory ligament typically cause lameness that’s localized to the lower leg around the cannon and fetlock, because this ligament runs along the back of the cannon and helps support the fetlock during weight bearing. Inflammation or tearing leads to pain when the limb is used, and you’ll often see swelling or heat along the course of the ligament. Because the suspensory apparatus stabilizes the fetlock, damage can result in some limb instability or abnormal fetlock movement when bearing weight.

Other signs described in the distractors point to different problems: coughing after exercise suggests a respiratory issue, hoof pain at the toe indicates a hoof or sole problem, and neck lameness points to issues higher up or in the neck. So the combination of localized lameness around the fetlock with swelling/heat along the ligament and potential instability best matches suspensory ligament injuries.