Cadaveric comparison of the accuracy of ultrasound-guided versus ‘blind’ perineural injection of the tibial nerve in horses

During diagnostic evaluation of hindlimb lameness in horses the tibial nerve block is traditionally performed based on anatomical reference points, but it can be difficult to achieve effective local anaesthesia using this blind technique. Ultrasound (US)-guided injection could increase accuracy injection. The aim study was compare both techniques. Twenty-one paired sets cadaver hindlimbs were injected with 1 mL methylene blue or US-guided There no significant difference stain width and length coloured between However, successful rate staining 85.7% 47.6% for technique, respectively (P = 0.02; odds ratio 6.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–29.4). This suggests that technique more accurate than treated sample, a single did not consistently result staining.