The musculoskeletal system in horses encompasses the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints that facilitate movement and provide structural support. This system is essential for locomotion, athletic performance, and overall health in equine species. The equine skeleton consists of approximately 205 bones, which are connected by joints and supported by a network of muscles and connective tissues. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments link bones to other bones, contributing to joint stability. The musculoskeletal system is subject to various conditions, including injuries, degenerative diseases, and developmental disorders, which can impact a horse's mobility and performance. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in horses.
Wickler SJ, Hoyt DF, Cogger EA, Hirschbein MH.Preferred speed is the behavioral tendency of animals to utilize a relatively narrow set of speeds near the middle of a much broader range that they are capable of using within a particular gait. Possible explanations for this behavior include minimizing musculoskeletal stresses and maximizing energetic economy. If preferred speed is determined by energetic economy (cost of transport, C(T)), then shifts in preferred speed should produce shifts in C(T). To test this hypothesis, preferred speeds were measured in trotting horses on the level and on an incline. The preferred trotting speed decreas...
Boston RC, Nunamaker DM.To determine the degree to which components of the training program of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses influence their susceptibility to fatigue injury of the third metacarpal bone (bucked shins). Methods: 226 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Daily training information and health reports on 2-year-old Thoroughbreds were compiled from records provided from 5 commercial stables. For each horse, data (exercise variables) were collected that comprised distance jogged (approx speed of 5 m/s), galloped (approx 11 m/s), and breezed (approx 15 to 16 m/s) until a single instance of buc...
Brama PA, Tekoppele JM, Bank RA, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR.Biochemical heterogeneity of cartilage within a joint is well known in mature individuals. It has recently been reported that heterogeneity for proteoglycan content and chondrocyte metabolism in sheep develops postnatally under the influence of loading. No data exist on the collagen network in general or on the specific situation in the horse. The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in equine articular cartilage biochemistry that occur from birth up to age one year, testing the hypothesis that the molecular composition of equine cartilage matrix is uniform at birth and b...
Schramme MC, Boswell JC, Hamhougias K, Toulson K, Viitanen M.Numerous different techniques for injection of the navicular bursa have been described but there is little conformity between these descriptions. A literature review was performed and techniques for injection of the navicular bursa were categorised into 5 approaches. This study was performed to evaluate the reproducibility of each technique and to assess which technique was consistently most successful. Five inexperienced operators performed each technique on 5 cadaver forelimbs. Once a needle had been placed, a radiograph was taken to confirm placement was in accordance with the description o...
Björnsdóttir S, Axelsson M, Eksell P, Sigurdsson H, Carlsten J.The prevalence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the distal tarsal joints and the relation between radiographic and clinical signs compatible with the disease were estimated in a population of Icelandic horses used for riding. The material consisted of 614 horses age 6-12 years (mean age = 7.9 years). Radiographs with 3 projections of each tarsus were made and a clinical examination, including palpation of the medial aspect of the distal tarsus and motion evaluation of the hindlimbs before and after a flexion test of the tarsus, was performed. Radiographic signs of DJD in the distal tarsa...
Chiba S, Kanematsu S, Murakami K, Satoh A, Asahina M, Numakunai S, Goryo M, Ohshima K, Okada K.Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) levels in fractured racehorses were measured by radioimmunoassay. Racehorses with fracture of large bone such as the radius, third metacarpus, third carpus, digital bone or tibia, showed normal PTH level and elevated CT level in the serum. Serum PTH level was slightly higher in racehorses with sesamoid bone fracture compared to that of healthy racehorses, but not statistically significant. Moreover, serum CT level of racehorses with sesamoid bone fracture was significantly higher than that of healthy racehorses. Racehorses with sesamoid bone ...
Hinterhofer C, Stanek C, Haider H.The biomechanical effects of lowering and raising the heels were studied using a finite element (FE) computer model of the equine hoof capsule consisting of 18,635 finite elements. A static load of 3000 N was distributed to nodes of the inner hoof wall (80%) according to the suspension of the coffin bone, 20% loaded sole and frog. When loaded the FE hoof capsules showed the following deformations: the proximal dorsal wall moves back, the quarters flare to the side and sole and frog perform a downward movement. Stresses are high in the material surrounding the quarter nails, in the heels and in...
Anor S, Espadaler JM, Monreal L, Pumarola M.To reassess reference values for the components of the electrically induced blink reflex, document reference values for facial motor nerve conduction velocity, and demonstrate usefulness of the blink reflex as a diagnostic tool in peripheral facial and trigeminal nerve dysfunction in horses. Methods: 10 healthy adult horses (8 males, 2 females) without neurologic abnormalities. Methods: Blink reflex tests were performed by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve and facial (auriculopalpebral) nerve. Reflex and direct muscle-evoked potentials of the orbicularis oculi muscles were recor...
Kingsmill VJ, Gray C, Boyde A.To address possible differences in the resorbability of cranial and postcranial bone, slices of equine frontal bone and leg (first phalanx or third metacarpus) were seeded with embryonic chick bone cells and cultured for 20-24h. After removing the cells and drying the specimens, the areas and volumes of more than 800 resorption pits in each set were measured using a video-rate reflection confocal microscope system. Relative mineralization densities were determined by quantitative electron backscattering analysis. The mean mineralization density was greater in the leg bone, but the mean depths ...
Blaik MA, Hanson RR, Kincaid SA, Hathcock JT, Hudson JA, Baird DK.The objective of this study was to define the normal gross anatomic appearance of the adult equine tarsus on a low-field magnetic resonance (MR) image. Six radiographically normal, adult, equine tarsal cadavers were utilized. Using a scanner with a 0.064 Tesla magnet, images were acquired in the sagittal, transverse and dorsal planes for T1-weighted and the sagittal plane for T2-weighted imaging sequences. Anatomic structures on the MR images were identified and compared with cryosections of the imaged limbs. Optimal image planes were identified for the evaluation of articular cartilage, subch...
Uhlhorn H, Eksell P, Carlsten J.A longitudinal scintigraphic and radiographic study of distal radial physeal activity in 14 Standardbred trotters was conducted to quantify and visually evaluate physeal uptake around the time of physeal closure. Initial intense 99mTc-HDP uptake was seen, followed by a rapid decrease of activity starting at a mean age of 20 months. Mean physeal to distal diaphyseal ROI and line profile ratios compared to ratios of mature horses decreased from 2.8 to 1.4 at the time of radiographic closure at 24-32 months. Ratios then gradually decreased until values of mature horses were reached at the end of ...
Faber M, Schamhardt H, van Weeren R, Johnston C, Roepstorff L, Barneveld A.To determine kinematic movements of the vertebral column of horses during normal locomotion. Methods: 5 Dutch Warmblood horses without apparent lameness or problems associated with the vertebral column. Methods: Kinematics of 8 vertebrae (T6, T10, T13, T17, L1, L3, L5, and S3) and both tuber coxae were determined, using bone-fixated markers. Horses were recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed of 1.6 m/s. Results: Flexion-extension was characterized by 2 periods of extension and flexion during 1 stride cycle, whereas lateral bending and axial rotation were characterized by 1 p...
Cohen ND, Berry SM, Peloso JG, Mundy GD, Howard IC.To determine the association between high-speed exercise and risk of injury while racing among Thoroughbreds in Kentucky. Methods: Matched case-control study. Methods: 206 Thoroughbreds that sustained a musculoskeletal injury while racing and 412 Thoroughbreds that were not injured during the same races. Methods: Data regarding official timed workouts and races and the Beyer's numbers for the 3 races before the race during which injury occurred were extracted from past performance charts and compared between injured horses and control horses. Results: For injured horses, cumulative distance of...
Meyer GA, Rashmir-Raven A, Helms RJ, Brashier M.This study was performed to determine the effect of administration of i.v. oxytocin on the contractility of the musculature associated with the equine oesophagus. Nine clinically normal horses were fitted with a nasogastric tube modified with inflatable latex cuffs. These cuffs were connected to piezoelectric pressure recording devices. Oxytocin in 3 different doses or saline controls were administered i.v. in a randomised block pattern. Systolic blood pressure, ECG, heart rate and nasogastric tube cuff pressures were then measured for 60 min. Administration of oxytocin i.v. at 0.11 and 0.22 i...
Batson EL, Reilly GC, Currey JD, Balderson DS.The metacarpal of the horse is severely loaded during vigorous exercise. Metacarpal specimens have a greater impact strength in young horses that have been exercised than in those that have only been walked. We did not find a corresponding difference in the radius of the same horses. We show that cranial (anterior) cortical bone from the radius, which is loaded in tension during locomotion, has a greater Young's modulus, and tensile and bending strength, than bone from the caudal (posterior) cortex, which is loaded in compression. Caudal bone is, however, stronger in compression. The differenc...
Davies PC.An 11-year-old mare presented with neuromuscular deficits and what resembled shivering in the left hind limb. On necropsy, there was no evidence of denervation atrophy of the left hind gastrocnemius muscle. The spinal cord had a small, right-sided lesion at C3-C4 and C4-C5. Tests for equine herpesvirus-1 and Sarcocystis spp. were negative.
Asperio RM, Marzola P, Sbarbati A, Osculati F, Addis F.To analyze the tendon of the deep digital flexor (TDDF) muscle of the forelimb in horses by use of a contrast radiographic agent (gadopentate dimeglumine [Gd-DTPA/Dimeg]) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine the concentration of water protons in the tendons by use of MRI. Methods: 8 TDDF harvested from the forelimbs of 6 horse cadavers. Methods: Examinations were performed on the same portion of each tendon. Tendons were examined by use of two techniques: MRI before and after treatment with Gd-DTPA/Dimeg as well as scanning electron microscopy. Results: Tendons did not have de...
McD￮ LA, Stover SM, Coleman K.To determine a range of limb loading activity for healthy adult horses confined to box stalls in an equine veterinary teaching hospital and determine the effects of hospital environmental factors on load rates and daily limb loading patterns. Methods: 6 mature healthy horses of various ages, breeds, and sexes, and 1 horse with a repaired metatarsal fracture. Methods: Step monitors were placed on 2 limbs of adult horses confined to box stalls. Relocation steps and weight shifts were recorded, as loading events, for 24 hours. Influence of forelimb versus hind limb and environmental factors on lo...
Valentine BA, McDonough SP, Chang YF, Vonderchek AJ.Polysaccharide storage myopathy is an equine neuromuscular disorder characterized by accumulation of glycogen-related polysaccharide inclusions within skeletal muscle fibers. The pathologic criteria for diagnosis of this disorder are somewhat controversial; however, periodic acid-Schiff-positive, amylase-resistant inclusions are considered pathognomonic. Although these inclusions are most often found in affected horses related to the Quarter Horse, draft horse, and Warmblood breeds, this report describes these characteristic inclusions in muscle of five horses from nonrelated breeds (two Morga...
Ward TL, Valberg SJ, Gallant EM, Mickelson JR.To determine whether an alteration in calcium regulation by skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, similar to known defects that cause malignant hyperthermia (MH), could be identified in membrane vesicles isolated from the muscles of Thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). Methods: Muscle biopsy specimens from 6 Thoroughbreds with RER and 6 healthy (control) horses. Methods: RER was diagnosed on the basis of a history of > 3 episodes of exertional rhabdomyolysis confirmed by increases in serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. Skeletal muscle membrane vesicles, prepared by ...
Clayton HM, Schamhardt HC, Willemen MA, Lanovaz JL, Colborne GR.To determine whether analysis of net joint moments and joint powers is a suitable technique for evaluation of mechanics and energetics of lameness in horses and to measure effects of superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Methods: 6 sound horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated before (sound evaluation) and after (lame evaluation) induction of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in 1 forelimb by injection of collagenase. Recordings were made with an optoelectronic system and a force plate as horses trotted. Net joint moments and joint powers in the sagittal plane at each joint in the forelimb...
Whitton RC, Kannegieter NJ, Rose RJ.To examine the relationship between medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) tearing and postoperative performance in racing horses. Methods: The postoperative performance of 42 horses in which the midcarpal joint was examined arthroscopically was followed prospectively. Intra-articular variables examined were the severity of MPICL tearing, subchondral bone damage and articular cartilage damage. Using a scoring system based on the class of race and the position in the race, a mean score was calculated for up to five races before and after surgery. The preoperative score was subtracted from t...
Clayton HM, Schamhardt HC, Willemen MA, Lanovaz JL, Colborne GR.To measure and correlate kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Methods: 6 sound horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated before (sound evaluation) and after (lame evaluation) induction of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in 1 forelimb (randomized) by injection of collagenase. As each horse trotted, kinematic data were collected by use of an optoelectronic system, and GRF data were measured by use of a force plate. Three-dimensional kinematic and GRF data were projected onto a 2-dimensional sagittal plane. Results: Lame limbs had...
Beech J, Fletcher JE, Erwin K, Lindborg SR.To determine sensitivity of equine skeletal muscle to tetrodotoxin and compare that with sensitivity of murine and human skeletal muscles. Methods: Semimembranosus, vastus lateralis, triceps brachii, and masseter muscle specimens from 22 euthanatized horses, vastus lateralis muscle biopsy specimens from 25 clinically normal humans, and diaphragmatic muscle specimens from 6 mice. Methods: Electrically elicited twitch responses were measured in muscle specimens incubated in medium alone and with tetrodotoxin (100 nM, 400 nM, 1.6 microM for equine specimens and 100 nM, 200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM, 1.6...
Svalastoga E, Reimann I, Nielsen K.Histological and histochemical investigations of the fibrocartilage of facies flexoria from navicular bones of horses with navicular disease have shown alterations similar to those described in the hyaline articular cartilage in osteoarthritic joints.
Moyer CT, Bramlage LR, Werre SR, Ruggles A, Embertson R, Hopper S.To describe the presence of fragments in the dorsal proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and to report flat racing performance after surgical treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty-nine affected thoroughbred flat racehorses and 169 age- and sex-matched maternal siblings. Methods: Medical records from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed for thoroughbred horses that underwent arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments in the dorsal aspect of the PIP joint. The horses' 2-year-old year, 3-year-old year, and career athletic performances were compared with their matched siblings. Resul...
Anor S, Espadaler JM, Monreal L, Pumarola M.To reassess reference values for the components of the electrically induced blink reflex, document reference values for facial motor nerve conduction velocity, and demonstrate usefulness of the blink reflex as a diagnostic tool in peripheral facial and trigeminal nerve dysfunction in horses. Methods: 10 healthy adult horses (8 males, 2 females) without neurologic abnormalities. Methods: Blink reflex tests were performed by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve and facial (auriculopalpebral) nerve. Reflex and direct muscle-evoked potentials of the orbicularis oculi muscles were recor...
Shimozawa K, Ueno Y, Ushiya S, Kusunose R.Medical and racing records of 155 Thoroughbred racehorses that underwent arthroscopic surgery for carpal chip fractures were investigated. Articular damage for 98.4% of the fractures was classified as G1 or G2 using McIlwraith's criteria. The rate of return to racing after surgery was 82.6%. Evaluation of racing performance after surgery was attempted using a placing index (PI) based on race finish position. There was no significant difference in the PI distribution between horses that underwent surgery and other healthy horses.
Beckett SD, Walker DF, Hudson RS, Reynolds TM, Purohit RC.A needle-tipped catheter or subminiature pressure transducer was implanted in the corpus spongiosum penis (CSP) of Shetland Pony stallions to determine pressure during coitus. Electrodes for monitoring the electromyographic (EMG) activity were implanted in the ischiocavernosus (IC) and bulbospongiosus (BS) muscles. The mean peak CSP pressure recorded with the catheter was 762 mm of Hg, and with the subminiature pressure transducer, it was 994 mm of Hg. The simultaneous occurrence of the CSP pressure peaks and bursts of BS muscle activity indicated that these muscles were the likely source of e...
Nauwelaerts S, Aerts P, Clayton H.Spontaneous transitions from anti-phase to in-phase manual coordination are explained in the Haken model that describes the two preferred states as stable regions that work as attractors in a stability landscape. Switching between states coincides with a temporary loss of stability. Coordination variability is believed to be indicative of such a loss of stability. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that an increase in variability in the angle profiles of the joints responsible for the transition will precede the transition. A full gait analysis of four miniature horses transitioning from...
Wijnberg ID, Graubner C, Auriemma E, van de Belt AJ, Gerber V.Reference values for quantitative electromyography (QEMG) in neck muscles of Royal Dutch Sport horses are lacking. Objective: Determine normative data on quantitative motor unit action potential (QMUP) analysis of serratus ventralis cervicis (SV) and brachiocephalicus (BC) muscle. Methods: Seven adult normal horses (mean age 9.5 standard deviation [SD] ± 2.3 years, mean height 1.64 SD ± 4.5 cm, and mean rectal temperature 37.6 SD ± 0.3°C). Methods: An observational study on QMUP analysis in 6 segments of each muscle was performed with commercial electromyography equipment. Measurements wer...
Klide AM.Fifteen horses with chronic back pain for 1/2 to 9 years, who could not function normally, who did not obtain any lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments were 20 minutes of manual acupuncture. The average number of treatments was 7.9 times administered at weekly intervals. After the acupuncture treatments were completed, 13 of the 15 horses were able to function normally.
Caudron I, Miesen M, Grulke S, Vanschepdael P, Leroy P, Serteyn D.The authors used a new radiological method to assess asymmetrical articular compression of the interphalangeal joints. This method was based on the measurements of 3 angles obtained on dorsopalmar radiographs. Variations of these angles were studied during experimental asymmetrical bearing on unshod feet. It was concluded that 2 angles were interesting parameters to assess asymmetrical articular compression and to define the position of the phalanx in the horny box. Furthermore, variations of these angles induced by experimental asymmetrical bearing were compared without shoe, with a standard ...
Davis MS, Barrett MR.Mitochondrial function-oxidative phosphorylation and the generation of reactive oxygen species-is critical in both health and disease. Thus, measuring mitochondrial function is fundamental in biomedical research. Skeletal muscle is a robust source of mitochondria, particularly in animals with a very high aerobic capacity, such as horses, making them ideal subjects for studying mitochondrial physiology. This article demonstrates the use of high-resolution respirometry with concurrent fluorometry, with freshly harvested skeletal muscle mitochondria, to quantify the capacity to oxidize substrates...
von Engelhardt W.During heavy exercise horses can increase oxygen uptake compared to resting conditions considerably more than man. Processes involved like respiration, heart size, cardiac output, oxygen transport capacity of the blood and oxygen release in the capillaries are discussed. Besides these advantages in the aerobic metabolism conditions for the anaerobic metabolism are also more advantageous in horses than in man. The portion of fast contracting muscle fibers with little fatigue-resistance and also some of the enzymes required for the anaerobic metabolism are higher in horses.
Kamineni S, Ruggles A, Ashfaq H.Ultrasonic debridement as a treatment for tendinopathy and desmitis is a relatively new approach in orthopedic surgery. Previously only used in limited cases, this procedure shows promise for treating ligament-bone and tendon-bone interface injuries. We present a case study of a 2-yr-old thoroughbred male horse, unable to train due to recalcitrant symptoms after extensive conservative management of suspensory branch desmitis. It was then treated with ultrasonic debridement and concurrent manubrial stem cell autograft injection, to treat the ultrasound visualized lesion. Post-surgically, the pa...
Owen RR.Physiologic features of the equine diarthrodial joint and the effects of intra-articular corticosteroid therapy were investigated. It was concluded that intra-articular injection of corticosteroids may be beneficial when lesions are confined to soft tissues of the joint, excluding injuries involving joint laxity. Rest following therapy is important.
Spadari A, Spinella G, Romagnoli N, Valentini S.Rupture of the lateral lobe of the proximal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle was diagnosed in an Arabian horse. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only report of this condition in horses. Although clinical signs were helpful in the identification of the location of disease, ultrasonographic examination was a more definitive and non- invasive means of diagnosing the pathological condition. Bursoscopic examination of the intertubercular bursa was also useful in obtaining confirmation of the diagnosis, and for debridement and lavage of the bursa.
Halling Thomsen M, Tolver Jensen A, Sørensen H, Lindegaard C, Haubro Andersen P.Detection and quantification of lameness in horses consists primarily of a subjective assessment, whereby both intra- and inter-observer disagreements exist, especially with low grade lameness. Therefore, clinically applicable methods are needed for reliable, objective assessments. The aim of this study was to describe three symmetry indices derived from a simple accelerometric method and investigate these in sound trotting horses. The indices describe the overall symmetry of the gait, the symmetry of loads placed on the limbs and the symmetry in timing between left and right steps. These symm...
Leach D.This paper summarizes recommendations for terminology to be used in the description of quadrupedal locomotion and selected aspects of biomechanics. Directional terms and planes of the body (anatomical position, spatial reference systems), joint angulation, conformation, general locomotion terminology, phases of the stride and limb cycle (e.g. step, cadence) and terminology for the description of jumping are described.
Ratzlaff MH, Shindell RM, DeBowes RM.Blood pressures from the catheterized lateral digital vein of the fore-limbs of 6 clinically normal horses were measured at rest, at the walk, and at the trot. Digital venous pressures were compared with the phases of the stride and weight-bearing forces, using electrogoniometry and a force platform. Rapid increases in digital venous pressures to maximal values were observed immediately before maximal forces during the support period of the stride. At the trot, increases in peak vertical forces were paralleled by increases in peak digital venous pressures. Seemingly, the hydrodynamics of the d...
Bromiley MW.Before a physical therapy and rehabilitation program is suggested, the end requirement must be considered. All physiotherapeutic machines are subject to laboratory screening. In the United States, the approval of the Food and Drug Administration is required; in the United Kingdom, certification by the National Physics Laboratory has been required by law since January 1996. Laboratory experiments are continually conducted to examine and evaluate the effects on tissues of varied electrical waveforms, low-intensity electrical currents, sound waves, and light rays delivered by a variety of therape...
Alsafy MAM, Elbakary RMA, Bassuoni NF.Joint diseases often represent the major part of equine clinician's caseloads. The current study aimed to document the normal anatomy of the donkey shoulder and elbow joints using computed tomography, cadaver sections, and radiography. Seven adult donkeys were used in this study. The current study proved there were no pouches of the donkey shoulder joint. Communication between the joint capsule and bicipital bursa was observed only in two limbs of four used in the present work. The joint was without pericapsular ligaments. The glenohumeral ligament was identified by the thickening of the artic...
Vilar JM, Rivero MA, Arencibia A, Morales I, Pinedo M.The authors propose a standard protocol of ultrasonographic exploration of the tarsal region in transversal and longitudinal planes, with the aim to spread with an accurate location of the anatomical structures. For this study, 10 adult horses of different races and ages (ranged 5-10 years) were used, with the characteristic of not having suffered any kind of tarsic pathology. The equipment was a real time ultrasound machine with a 7.5 mHz lineal transducer. Some different anatomical structures in this region of the hind-limb such as the tendons, ligaments, muscles and articular components wer...
Livesey MA, Hulland TJ, Yovich JV.The research article discusses a rare case of colic in two horses, which was attributed to the existence of smooth muscle intestinal tumors. Introduction The article begins by explaining that […]
Finno CJ, McKenzie E.Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin E and selenium can occur alone or concurrently. Prolonged and sustained deficiency of either or both nutrients can lead to profound clinical disease. Selenium deficiency can also result in signs of cardiac disease, upper gastrointestinal dysfunction, and abortion or the birth of weak foals. Deficiencies can usually be readily established by evaluating the dietary intake of individuals and by measurement of blood concentrations of these nutrients. Treatment of clinical disease is not always successful and prolonged morbidity and mortality can be encountered; ...
Soroko-Dubrovina M, Zielińska P, Dudek KD, Śniegucka K, Nawrot K.The aim of the present study was to assess the thermal effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area of clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses. The study was conducted on 21 clinically healthy Thoroughbreds in regular training. The horses were subjected to thermographic examinations before and immediately after a HILT session to measure changes in the body surface temperature in the TMJ area. The left TMJ was subjected to therapy, while the contralateral joint served as a control. Statistically significant differences in the body surface temperatu...
Koch DW.Our understanding of tendon homeostasis and repair following injury has made great strides through basic science, clinical veterinary medicine, and preclinical translational research. We have now gleaned a greater understanding of the cellular and matrix dynamics that are being orchestrated within the tendon, which provide therapeutic opportunities. This article will focus on how utilizing the horse and equine tissues have advanced our understanding of tendinopathy and the cellular and matrix dynamics at play while also identifying continued gaps in our knowledge where the horse as a veterinar...
Horne CR, Redding WR.The location of a suspensory ligament (SL) injury heavily influences the clinical presentation, prognosis, and treatment options. Diagnostic imaging is necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis and is critical to ensure the institution of the most appropriate treatment. The hindlimb proximal SL in particular can be challenging to diagnosis, carries a guarded prognosis, and typically requires aggressive treatment to achieve soundness.
Smith RKW, Schramme MC.Superficial digital flexor tendinopathy is one of the most common orthopedic soft tissue injuries in horses. The veterinary challenge for this condition is less related to identifying the presence of the injury (as it is usually readily evident clinically) but more related to improving the healing process so that the healed tendon is more like normal tendon in biology and function in order to reduce reinjury, which is the key adverse consequence of the injury. Diagnostic imaging has improved in recent years to aid with treatment choices and monitoring the healing process.
Mirra A, Klopfenstein Bregger MD, Levionnois OL.A 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding was presented to the equine referral hospital for treatment of a left guttural pouch mycosis previously diagnosed. After induction, the horse was shortly hoisted by all four feet, moved on a padded surgical table, and positioned in right lateral recumbency. In order to reduce the risk of bleeding during surgical manipulation of the carotid and maxillary arteries, a mean arterial pressure between 60 and 70 mmHg was targeted. After surgery, the horse was moved in a padded recovery box keeping the same lateral recumbency. Four unsuccessful attempts were perf...
Kasashima Y, Kuwano A, Katayama Y, Taura Y, Yoshihara T.Six live horses with various stages of acute to chronic superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinitis were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In each case, MRI findings were compared to the corresponding ultrasonographic (USD) and histologic findings, to establish the usefulness of MRI. In the acute cases, lesions characterized by hemorrhage were well defined as high signal intensity on MRI and hypoechoic regions on USD. Chronic tendon fibrosis was slightly hyperechoic and difficult to distinguish from the normal tendon tissue around the original injury by using USD. In contrast, M...
Rooney MF, Neto NGB, Monaghan MG, Hill EW, Porter RK.Thoroughbred racehorse performance is largely influenced by a major quantitative trait locus at the () gene which determines aptitude for certain race distances due to a promoter region insertion mutation influencing functional phenotypes in skeletal muscle. To develop an system for functional experiments we established three novel equine skeletal muscle cell lines reflecting the variation in phenotype associated with genotype (CC/II, CT/IN and TT/NN for SNP g.66493737C > T/SINE insertion 227 bp polymorphism). Primary equine skeletal muscle myoblasts, isolated from Thoroughbred horse , we...
Brommer H, Laasanen MS, Brama PA, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A, Helminen HJ, Jurvelin JS.To determine the speed of sound (SOS) in equine articular cartilage and investigate the influence of age, site in the joint, and cartilage degeneration on the SOS. Methods: Cartilage samples from 38 metacarpophalangeal joints of 38 horses (age range, 5 months to 22 years). Methods: Osteochondral plugs were collected from 2 articular sites of the proximal phalanx after the degenerative state was characterized by use of the cartilage degeneration index (CDI) technique. The SOS was calculated (ratio of needle-probe cartilage thickness to time of flight of the ultrasound pulse), and relationships ...
