Long Lateral Collateral

Spring is here; geese flying north, horses shedding, a few sunny days. Winter can be a long season in Chicago. It’s great working in the clinic in the winter but I always look forward to ‘going on the road’ in the spring and summer. There are some things we can only do in the hospital but farm calls in the spring are refreshing. The sense of renewal associated with the green grass and sunshine is always something I look forward to.

We did have a memorable case in clinic this winter. A young horse injured his long lateral collateral ligament of the hock. I had never seen this particular injury before and like most medical problems it will probably heal with time. The alliteration of the ligament’s is what stuck me; the long lateral collateral. It sounds like the lyric of a rap song. Like: “If you’re a believer in cabin fever, the lateral collateral is compatible…etc.”
Ah, the things we do on long winter night to amuse ourselves.