Throughout a decades-long career that encompasses the ownership and operation of Harvard, Illinois-based Harvard Equine Practice since 1984, Dr. Phillip Kapraun has developed a reputation as an authority on treating lameness in racehorses. Actively involved in the evolution of his profession, Dr. Phillip Kapraun maintains active membership with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).In March 2018, the AVMA announced that it has named Dr. Matthew J. Salois to serve as the top official in the organization’s Veterinary Economics Division. The 5-year-old division had been led by the retiring Dr. Michael R. Dicks.In his new role, Dr. Salois says he plans to prioritize efforts aimed at analyzing the economic landscape of the profession in order to give veterinarians a clear look at the future of the profession. In his comments, AVMA President Dr. Michael J. Topper praised Dr. Salois’ background and experience, saying that he is the right fit to take the economic data the organization has already collected and turn it into actionable content.
Dr. Phillip Kapraun received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. With more than 40 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Phillip Kapraun treats a range of equine lameness conditions, including those affecting the suspensory ligament.
Suspensory ligament injuries commonly occur in horses, yet often get misdiagnosed or remain undiagnosed for a period due to several reasons. These injuries typically present with no physical cues, as there is minimal or no noticeable swelling in the limb, which may only cause mild or intermittent lameness. Most horses with suspensory injuries are affected bilaterally and will shorten their stride rather than limp. They may display symptoms such as pain in the sacroiliac region of the back and poor performance.Radiographs generally show little evidence of a suspensory ligament injury, and lameness exams can also fail to diagnose the problem. Some horses with suspensory injuries show a brief response to systemic medications or joint injections, which can falsely lead to a misdiagnosis of a joint-related problem.
