Rehabilitation for horses refers to the process of restoring physical function and performance following injury, illness, or surgery. This process often involves a combination of veterinary care, physical therapy, and specialized training techniques. Rehabilitation aims to promote healing, improve mobility, and prevent further injury. Common methods used in equine rehabilitation include controlled exercise programs, hydrotherapy, and the use of therapeutic modalities such as laser therapy and ultrasound. The effectiveness of these methods is evaluated through clinical assessments and performance metrics. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, outcomes, and advancements in the field of equine rehabilitation.
Pfau T, Simons V, Rombach N, Stubbs N, Weller R.Training and rehabilitation techniques aiming at improving core muscle strength may result in increased dynamic stability of the equine vertebral column. A system of elastic resistance bands is suggested to provide proprioceptive feedback during motion to encourage recruitment of core abdominal and hindquarter musculature for improved dynamic stability. Objective: To quantify the effects of a specific resistance band system on back kinematics during trot in-hand and lungeing at beginning and end of a 4-week exercise programme. Methods: Quantitative analysis of back movement before/after a 4-we...
Greve L, Dyson S, Pfau T.Lameness, thoracolumbosacral pain and reduced range of motion (ROM) often coexist; better understanding of their relationship is needed. The objectives were to determine if thoracolumbosacral movement of horses changes when pain causing lameness is improved by diagnostic analgesia. We hypothesised that reduction of lameness will increase ROM of the thoracolumbosacral region. Thirteen horses with different types of hind limb lameness were trotted in straight lines and lunged on a 10m diameter circle on left and right reins before and after lameness was subjectively substantially improved by dia...
King MR, Haussler KK, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Reiser RF, Frisbie DD, Werpy NM.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of exercise in an underwater treadmill (UWT) on forelimb biomechanics and articular histologic outcomes in horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis of the middle carpal joint. ANIMALS 16 horses. PROCEDURES An osteochondral fragment was induced arthroscopically (day 0) in 1 middle carpal joint of each horse. Beginning on day 15, horses were assigned to exercise in a UWT or in the UWT without water (simulating controlled hand walking) at the same speed, frequency, and duration. Thoracic and pelvic limb ground reaction forces, thoracic limb kinematics, a...
Bertone AL, Reisbig NA, Kilborne AH, Kaido M, Salmanzadeh N, Lovasz R, Sizemore JL, Scheuermann L, Kopp RJ, Zekas LJ, Brokken MT.To assess if injection of allogeneic dental pulp tissue particles would improve lameness in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) or soft tissue (ST) injury. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded, and controlled clinical trial and client survey assessment. Methods: Forty lame client-owned horses. Methods: Sterile dental pulp, recovered from otherwise healthy foals that perish during dystocia, was processed under good manufacturing processing to produce mechanically manipulated, unexpanded pulp tissue particles containing viable cells surrounded in extracellular matrix. Forty ...
Stergiou A, Tzoufi M, Ntzani E, Varvarousis D, Beris A, Ploumis A.Equine-assisted therapies, such as therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, are believed to have positive physical and emotional effects in individuals with neuromotor, developmental, and physical disabilities. The purpose of this review was to determine whether therapeutic riding and hippotherapy improve balance, motor function, gait, muscle symmetry, pelvic movement, psychosocial parameters, and the patients' overall quality of life. Methods: In this study, a literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, CINAHL, MBASE, SportDiscus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Trial...
Tamura N, Nukada T, Kato T, Kuroda T, Kotoyori Y, Fukuda K, Kasashima Y.The objective assessment of the mechanical properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) could provide useful information for the rehabilitation of horses with SDFT injuries. Assessment of strain ratio (the strain of a standard reference divided by that of lesions) is a quantitative method in sonoelastography for evaluating tissue stiffness in vivo. As yet, no longitudinal studies have used strain ratio to evaluate the progression of stiffness in SDFT injuries. Objective: To test the hypothesis that strain ratio can evaluate the recovery of stiffness during the healing of SDFT inj...
Ahern BJ, Bayliss IPM, Zedler ST, Getman LM, Richardson DW.To report on a series of 4 horses with supraglenoid tubercle fractures repaired with locking compression plates. Methods: Case series. Methods: Four horses ranging in age from 6 weeks to 20 months and weighing from 121 to 425 kg with supraglenoid tubercle fractures of 1 day to 6 weeks in duration. Methods: Supraglenoid tubercle fractures were reduced and stabilized with transversely positioned locking compression plate(s) with and without additional tension band wiring. Results: All fractures reached bony union. Two postoperative surgical site infections were managed with drainage and antibiot...
Martin P, Cheze L, Pourcelot P, Desquilbet L, Duray L, Chateau H.Many factors associated with the saddle and the rider could produce pain in horses thus reducing performance. However, studies of horse-saddle-rider interactions are limited and determining their effects remains challenging. The aim of this study was to test a novel method for assessing equine thoracic and lumbar spinal movement under the saddle and collect data during trotting. Back movement was measured using inertial measurement units (n = 5) fixed at the levels of thoracic vertebrae T6, T12 and T16, and lumbar vertebrae L2 and L5. To compare unridden and ridden conditions, three horses...
Tamura N, Kuroda T, Kotoyori Y, Fukuda K, Nukada T, Kato T, Kuwano A, Kasashima Y.Sonoelastography can assess the inner stiffness of tissues. Sonoelastographic evaluation of injured equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) is considered to be useful for assessing the stiffness of a lesion even during late-stage rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the sonoelastographic appearance of injured SDFTs over time from the onset of the injury. Eighteen horses were classified into three groups according to the length of time from injury onset: group A, within two weeks after injury; group B, approximately five months after injury; and gro...
Emond AL, Bertoni L, Seignour M, Coudry V, Denoix JM.OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical features, diagnostic procedures, management, and outcome of horses with peripheral neuropathy of a forelimb. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 27 horses. PROCEDURES Records from 2000 to 2013 were reviewed to identify horses with peripheral neuropathy of a forelimb. Horses were grouped as having predominant lesions of a suprascapular nerve, axillary nerve, or radial nerve (alone or in association with other brachial plexus nerves) on the basis of physical examination and diagnostic imaging findings. Treatments were primarily conservative. Signalment, h...
Matters of physical and medical rehabilitation of children with organic lesions of the nervous system, in particular, with cerebral palsy, are actual in countries around the world. Hippotherapy is neurophysiologically oriented therapy using horses. Determine whether a combination of hippotherapy as a method of rehabilitation in the aftermath of outpatient comprehensive impact on MS on a stationary phase; Study of the effect of hippotherapy as securing and preparation method for learning new postures and movements in children with spastic cerebral palsy forms; The study of the possible optimiza...
Kern-Godal A, Brenna IH, Arnevik EA, Ravndal E.Inclusion of horse-assisted therapy (HAT) in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is rarely reported. Our previous studies show improved treatment retention and the importance of the patient-horse relationship. This qualitative study used thematic analysis, within a social constructionist framework, to explore how eight patients experienced contextual aspects of HAT's contribution to their SUD treatment. Participants described HAT as a "break from usual treatment". However, four interrelated aspects of this experience, namely "change of focus", "activity", "identity", and "motivation," sugge...
Tyrnenopoulou P, Karayannopoulou M, Angelopoulou S, Pyrros A, Mparous E, Koliakos G, Diakakis N.Carpal chip fractures are common causes of lameness in racehorses. Due to disadvantages in surgical management, adjuvant treatment modalities are usually necessary. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the potential to differentiate into other cell types including bone and cartilage cells. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is produced during ADSCs isolation from adipose tissue. The purpose of this report was to present the successful management of a grade III chip fracture in the right carpus of a 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by intra-articularly injected autologous SVF one...
Bembo F, Eraud J, Philandrianos C, Bertrand B, Silvestre A, Veran J, Sabatier F, Magalon G, Magalon J.To assess the safety and potential efficacy of a standardized technique consisting of intra-articular injection of 10 cc of a homogeneous mixed product using autologous micro-fat and platelet rich plasma (PRP) (ratio 1:1) in the carpus or the fetlock joint of sport horses presenting degenerative joint disease (DJD). Methods: Eight sport horses with DJD confirmed by radiography and ultrasonography and causing lameness and the impossibility to compete were treated. PRP was prepared after a double centrifugation whereas micro-fat was harvested and purified using a closed system. The two products ...
Brockman T."Stringhalt" is a horse condition that causes one or both hind legs to spasm when walking, trotting or backing. The condition is thought to be related to a neurological cause from either plant toxicity or peripheral nerve injury. The prognosis is poor and the horse's performance and quality of life can be affected. Treatment has included surgically cutting the digital extensors with varied results. The objective of the study is to utilize soft tissue release via acupressure, trigger point and myofascial release to decrease symptoms of stringhalt. The case study is a 12 year old Akhal-Teke hors...
Geburek F, Gaus M, van Schie HT, Rohn K, Stadler PM.Regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects on tendinopathies have been attributed to blood-derived biologicals. To date the evidence for the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment of naturally occurring equine tendinopathies is limited. The purpose of this placebo-controlled clinical trial was to describe the effect of a single treatment of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) disease with PRP on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters. Twenty horses with naturally occurring tendinopathies of forelimb SDFTs were randomly assigned to the PRP-treated group (n =...
Mäenpää H, Kela K, Sätilä H.Riding therapy is a comprehensive and functional form of rehabilitation, in which the rehabilitee, the horse and the riding therapist collaborate in order to achieve individually assigned goals that support rehabilitation. In Finland, riding therapy is therapeutic rehabilitation carried out by riding therapists who have undergone approved training. The therapy is mainly implemented in an individual form, but small group working is also applied, e.g. in the form of pair therapy and therapeutic vaulting. In Europe, this form of rehabilitation has been divided into hippotherapy supporting motor f...
Witte S, Dedman C, Harriss F, Kelly G, Chang YM, Witte TH.Superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis is a common injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Injuries require prolonged rehabilitation, with unpredictable outcomes and a high incidence of re-injury. This observational case-control study aimed to compare race outcomes after commonly advocated treatments for tendon healing. Clinical and racing records were evaluated for 127 National Hunt racehorses treated between 2007 and 2011 for an SDF tendon injury. Two age- and sex-matched control horses were selected for each case horse to analyse the effect on post-injury racing outcomes of pre-injury data,...
Antunes FN, Pinho ASD, Kleiner AFR, Salazar AP, Eltz GD, de Oliveira Junior AA, Cechetti F, Galli M, Pagnussat AS.Hippotherapy is often carried out for the rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), with the horse riding at a walking pace. This study aimed to explore the immediate effects of a hippotherapy protocol using a walk-trot pace on spatio-temporal gait parameters and muscle tone in children with Bilateral Spastic CP (BS-CP). Ten children diagnosed with BS-CP and 10 healthy aged-matched children (reference group) took part in this study. The children with BS-CP underwent two sessions of hippotherapy for one week of washout between them. Two protocols (lasting 30min) were applied on separ...
McKeever KH.An increasing percentage of the equine population is more than 15 years old, many performing various athletic activities into their 20s. Studies of aged humans have led to a fine tuning of exercise prescription to promote fitness while preventing adverse and potentially dangerous effects of excessive exercise. However, limited data exist regarding the exercise capacity of aged horses. This article presents an overview of published studies on aging-induced decreases in physiologic function and exercise capacity in the horse. The information presented can be used as a guide for exercise prescrip...
Bottagisio M, Pellegata AF, Boschetti F, Ferroni M, Moretti M, Lovati AB.Tendon ruptures and/or large losses remain to be a great clinical challenge and often require full replacement of the damaged tissue. The use of auto- and allografts or engineered scaffolds is an established approach to restore severe tendon injuries. However, these grafts are commonly related to scarce biocompatibility, site morbidity, chronic inflammation and poor biomechanical properties. Recently, the decellularisation techniques of allo- or xenografts using specific detergents have been studied and have been found to generate biocompatible substitutes that resemble the native tissue. This...
Mizobe F, Okada J, Shinzaki Y, Nomura M, Kato T, Yamada K, Spriet M.Desmitis of the oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments (ODSL) is caused by hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint and has been described as a significant cause of lameness in racehorses. In this study, three Thoroughbred racehorses (age range: 3-6 years) were diagnosed with desmitis of the forelimb ODSL using standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). Radiography and ultrasonography were inconclusive with regard to a definitive diagnosis. For all horses, the sMRI characteristics included increased signal intensity within the medial ODSL on T1-weighted grad...
Russell JW, Russell TM, Vasey JR, Hall MS.To evaluate a treatment protocol whereby superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses was treated with autologous bone marrow aspirate (ABMA) obtained from the sternebrae. This treatment was combined with desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the SDF tendon (DAL-SDFT) in selected cases. Medical records of 105 horses treated using the reported protocol were reviewed. Signalment, history and details of treatment were recorded. Racing records were reviewed and performance recorded. Of Thoroughbreds, 82 per cent had one or more starts within the follow-u...
McCormick JD, Watkins JP.Double plate fixation has been reported in a small number of horses with comminuted fractures of the middle phalanx. There are no published reports using this technique in the management of other injuries that destabilise the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ), including biaxial palmar/plantar eminence fractures and disruption of the palmar/plantar soft tissue support structures of the PIJ. Furthermore, there is a paucity of information on the long-term prognosis for horses undergoing double plate fixation to manage destabilising injuries of the PIJ. Objective: To document further the clinic...
Biedrzycki AH, Grant BD, Nemke B, Markel MD, Morello SL.To describe a technique for surgical placement of a modified kerf-cut cylinder for the purpose of arthrodesis across the equine centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints. Methods: Each horse (n = 4) underwent unilateral placement of a single kerf-cut cylinder spanning the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints with the placement of an autologous cancellous bone graft. Horses were evaluated via lameness examination and radiography postoperatively and euthanatization of each horse was performed at four different time points up to 12 weeks post-surgery to evaluate for lameness, implant stability a...
Pham C, Bitonte R.Hippotherapy is the use of equine movement in physical, occupational, or speech therapy in order to obtain functional improvements in patients. Studies show improvement in motor function and sensory processing for patients with a variety of neuromuscular disabilities, developmental disorders, or skeletal impairments as a result of using hippotherapy. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to identify the pervasiveness of hippotherapy in Southern California, and any factors that impair its utilization. Methods: One hundred and fifty-two rehabilitation centers in the Southern Californ...
Durgam SS, Stewart AA, Sivaguru M, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Stewart MC.Tendinitis is a common and a performance-limiting injury in athletes. This study describes the value of intralesional tendon-derived progenitor cell (TDPC) injections in equine flexor tendinitis. Collagenase-induced tendinitis was created in both front superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons. Four weeks later, the forelimb tendon lesions were treated with 1 × 10 autogenous TDPCs or saline. Tendinitis was also induced by collagenase in one hind SDF tendon, to study the survival and distribution of DiI-labeled TDPCs 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after injection. The remaining normal tendon was used...
Haussler KK.Joint mobilization and manipulation provide important diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for addressing musculoskeletal issues in veterinary medicine. Soft tissue and joint mobilization are used to assess the quality and quantity of joint range of motion and as a primary means of treating musculoskeletal disorders. Spinal manipulation was shown to be effective for reducing pain, improving flexibility, reducing muscle tone, and improving symmetry of spinal kinematics in horses. Because of potential misuse and safety issues, joint mobilization and manipulative therapies should be provided onl...
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fifteen horses that could not train or perform their sport at an acceptable level because of chronic back pain of 2 to 24 months' duration, and that did not obtain lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments consisted of injection of 1 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, with no preservatives, at 9 acupuncture points. The horses were treated once a week for a mean of 9 treatments. The mean number of treatments before obvious improvement was 4. After treatment, 13 of the 15 horses had apparent alleviation of their signs of pain and co...
Fraschetto C, Dancot M, Vandersmissen M, Denoix JM, Coudry V.To describe type and distribution of tarsal collateral ligament (CL) injuries and to assess the long-term outcome in horses treated conservatively. Methods: 78 horses (median age, 7 years [IQR, 4 to 9.75 years]) of different breeds and disciplines. Methods: Retrospective analysis (2000 through 2020) of horses with tarsal CL lesions diagnosed on ultrasound. The resting time, ability to return to work, and performance level after the injury were compared between horses having a single ligament (group S) or multiple ligaments (group M) affected and according to the case severity. Results: Most of...
Byström A, Roepstorff L, Johnston C.No data exist on the GRF-kinematics relation due to changes caused by equestrian interventions. Objective: Through the judicious use of draw reins the rider can influence the kinematics of the horse to meet stated goals of dressage training. Relating the results to previously published kinetic data of the same experiment implies a possible relationship between kinetics and kinematics. Methods: The kinematics of 8 sound Swedish Warmblood horses were measured whilst the horses were being ridden with and without draw reins. Three conditions were evaluated: 1) draw reins only (DR), 2) combination ...
Walmsley JP.Five horses with a vertical tear in the cranial horn and cranial ligament of the medial meniscus and 2 horses with a similar injury in the lateral meniscus were diagnosed from a series of 126 horses which were examined arthroscopically for stifle lameness. All the lesions had similar characteristics. The tear was about 1 cm from the axial border of the meniscus and its ligament and, in all but one case in which it was incomplete, much of the torn tissue was loosely attached in the axial part of the joint from where it was removed. The remaining meniscus, abaxial to the tear, was displaced cran...
Clayton HM.Time magnification in motion photography allows the observation of events in the stride cycle that normally are beyond the resolution of the human eye. Quantitative analysis goes a stage further by measuring the stride in terms of timing, distance, and angular variables. Motion analysis is a good technique for detecting left-right asymmetries of gait, and the nature of the asymmetries has some value in locating the site of a lameness. Repeated analyses of the same horse allow an objective assessment of the effects of local anesthesia, surgical treatment, or medication. It is anticipated that t...
Clayton HM, O'Connor KA, Kaiser LJ.The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The da...
David F, Cadby J, Bosch G, Brama P, van Weeren R, van Schie H.Larger superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries have a poorer prognosis than smaller lesions. During the inflammatory phase enlargement of the initial lesion is frequently noted, with biomechanical loading being recently proposed to play an important role. Objective: To evaluate the effect of lower limb cast immobilisation on tendon lesion propagation in an equine model of surgically induced SDFT injury. Methods: Core lesions were surgically induced in both front SDFTs of 6 young mature horses. At the end of surgery, one leg was randomly placed in a lower limb cast and the other leg (...
Booth TM, Abbot J, Clements A, Singer ER, Clegg PD.To describe and evaluate a technique for radical resection of the entire intrathecal component of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Seven client-owned horses. Methods: Seven horses with wounds that resulted in septic tenosynovitis of the CDET sheath were treated by complete surgical resection of the affected tendon and ablation of the tendon sheath; 5 had previous surgery that was unsuccessful. Time from initial injury to complete resection was 1-22 weeks. In 6 horses, the wound was closed primarily using a closed suction (4 hors...
Bertone AL, Stashak TS, Smith FW, Norrdin RW.In nine horses (18 forelimbs), a 3 cm section of superficial digital flexor tendon was removed and the tendons were repaired with immobilization for 6 weeks and (1) no suture (n = 6); (2) a double locking loop tenorrhaphy with carbon fiber (n = 6); or (3) a double locking loop tenorrhaphy with size 2 nylon suture (n = 6). Clinical assessment, gross evaluation, morphometry, histology, and mechanical testing were performed on two limbs from each treatment group at weeks 6, 12, and 24. At weeks 6 and 12, the unsutured tissue was less mature than the tissue sutured with nylon. By week 24, the carb...
Cillán-García E, Milner PI, Talbot A, Tucker R, Hendey F, Boswell J, Reardon RJ, Taylor SE.The type and location of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions may be important in predicting outcome. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of different types of DDFT lesions within the hoof capsule and to determine whether lesion type predicts return to athletic activity. Lesions of the DDFT were divided into: core lesions, dorsal border lesions and parasagittal splits. Lesion location was documented, and follow-up information was obtained by telephone survey at least 18 months after diagnosis. Of 168 horses with primary DDFT injury, 54 horses had dorsal border les...
Prisk AJ, García-López JM.To determine the long-term return to performance of horses with impinging and/or overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP) treated with interspinous ligament desmotomy (ISLD) and to determine the prognostic value of radiographic and scintigraphic grades. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Seventy-one horses with ORDSP treated with ISLD. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, physical examination, gait evaluation, and number of interspinous spaces treated. Preoperative radiographic and scintigraphic images were evaluated with grading scales. Follow-up was obtained with a t...
Shakeshaft A, Tabor G.Dynamic mobilisation exercises (DME) are often used as part of a physiotherapy rehabilitation programme. Whilst immediate kinematic effects have been measured, the change in posture is anecdotally reported to have a longer duration. This study aimed to test the reliability of a simple objective measurement method, suitable for use in clinical practice, and to objectively measure equine thoracolumbar posture, before and after DME. A single investigator took triplicate measurements of the sagittal thoracolumbar shape using a flexicurve ruler (FCR) then triplicate measurements of the thoracolumba...
de Souza TC, Crowe OM, Bowles D, Poore LA, Suthers JM.To describe a minimally invasive cranial ostectomy for the treatment of impingement of dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) in the standing horse. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: One hundred two horses with impinging DSPs. Methods: The case records of all horses that had the described technique between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed. All sites of impinging DSPs were treated under standing sedation and local anesthesia. The minimally invasive cranial ostectomy of the caudal DSP was performed with bone rongeurs through multiple small incisions. Results: Of the 102 horses treated with this techniq...
Kuemmerle JM, Fürst AE.To report open reduction and joint stabilization using a prosthetic capsule technique for treatment of a craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in a lightweight pony. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Pony stallion (8 years old, 113 kg). Methods: A craniodorsal approach to the coxofemoral joint was performed under general anesthesia. After open reduction, a prosthetic capsule technique was used. Four 3.5 mm self-tapping cortical anchor screws were implanted: 2 screws were inserted above the cranial aspect of the dorsal acetabular rim, and 2 screws were inserted into the femoral neck. Subsequently,...
Ward J, Hovey A, Brownlee K.Across mental health professionals, there is growing interest in the field of Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT). Preliminary evidence suggests EAT is beneficial for a wide spectrum of client populations. EAT programs may be based on groundwork alone, where participants interact with the horses from the ground only, or they may incorporate mounted activities. It remains unclear whether mounted activities add therapeutic benefits to the EAT experience for participants. This scoping review explored whether mounted activities, specifically where the client rides the horse, contribute to distinct thera...
Moulin N, François I, Coté N, Alford C, Cleary O, Desjardins MR.Despite the recommendation of plate fixation for propagating condylar fractures of the third metacarpal (McIII) or third metatarsal bone (MtIII), lag screw fixation can be a viable surgical option. Objective: To evaluate short-term outcome and long-term racing performance of horses that underwent lag screw fixation of long condylar fractures of the McIII/MtIII. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records, post-surgical racing performance and outcome of 26 horses with propagating fractures of the medial and/or lateral condyle of McIII/MtIII were reviewed. Medical information in...
Sparks HD, Nixon AJ, Fortier LA, Mohammed HO.Long-term efficacy of arthroscopic cartilage reattachment for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions in the equine femoropatellar joint is unknown. Objective: To evaluate radiographic outcome and long-term performance of horses undergoing OCD reattachment. Objective: Separated OCD cartilage flaps may be reincorporated into the joint surface by reattachment rather than flap removal. Methods: Polydioxanone pins were utilised arthroscopically to reattach OCD lesions in 40 of 44 joints from 27 horses. Cartilage was reattached when it had persisting perimeter continuity, the surfa...
Tipton TE, Ray CS, Hand DR.To characterize superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon lesions in the forelimbs of cutting horses and determine recurrence rate and prognosis for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 19 cutting horses with SDF tendonitis. Methods: Medical records for horses evaluated for SDF tendonitis in 2007 through 2011 were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, lameness grade, affected limb, and treatment were collected. Ultrasonographic images were reviewed, and lesion characteristics were recorded. Follow-up telephone interviews with owners or trainers were conducted to determine re...
Jordana M, Wilderjans H, Boswell J, Dewulf J, Smith RK, Martens A.To report outcome after the surgical treatment of lacerations of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), suspensory ligament (SL), and/or distal sesamoidean ligaments (DSL) in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=106) with lacerations of the SDFT, DDFT, SL, and/or DSL. Methods: Medical records (1988-2002) were reviewed for signalment, limb and tendon/ligament involvement (location and extent of injury, tendon sheath involvement), method of repair, and outcome. Results: The median age of horses was 7 years and the follow-up time ranged from 1...
Todhunter RJ, Minor RR, Wootton JA, Krook L, Burton-Wurster N, Lust G.Our aim was to determine if mild to moderate postoperative exercise and intra-articular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan result in improved repair of large, experimentally induced osteochondral defects in a weight-bearing surface of equine joints. Arthroscopic debridement was used to produce full-thickness defects in a weight-bearing area of the radial carpal bones in 18 ponies. The ponies were randomly assigned to two groups balanced for age: nine animals in the exercise and nine in the no exercise group. Six ponies in each group were medicated weekly for 5 weeks with an intra-articular injecti...
Boham M, O'Connell K.To introduce the characteristics of a Chance fracture and increase awareness of the mechanism of injury that may occur during athletic activity. Background: A T12 Chance fracture was diagnosed in an 18-year-old male rodeo athlete. The rider was forced into extreme lumbothoracic hyperflexion when the horse bucked within the chute, pinning the rider's legs to his chest. Methods: Burst fracture, abdominal organ rupture, spinal dislocation, spinal cord injury, disk herniation, pars interarticularis fracture, spinal nerve injury, paralysis. Methods: The patient underwent an open reduction and fixat...
Utter ME, Wotman KL, Covert KR.REASONS FOR STUDY: The effect of unilateral enucleation on vision and potential loss of performance in horses has received little study. Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of return to prior discipline following unilateral enucleation in horses, assessing the role of age at enucleation, equine discipline, reason for enucleation, time to vision loss and eye enucleated. Objective: Unilateral enucleation has no significant effect on likelihood of return to work in horses, for both right and left eyes, across age and discipline. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records identified 92 h...
Matthews S, Dart AJ, Dowling BA.To determine the effectiveness and incidence of complications of palmar digital neurectomy using the guillotine technique in horses presented for lameness originating from sites innervated by these nerves. Methods: Retrospective study of 24 clinical cases. Methods: Twenty-four horses undergoing a palmar digital nerve neurectomy between June 1997 and June 2001. Methods: The records of all horses undergoing a uniaxial or biaxial, unilateral or bilateral neurectomy during the defined time period were retrieved. Information retrieved from the record included breed, age, gender, discipline for whic...
Bergh A, Lauridsen NG, Hesbach AL.Goniometry is the measurement of joint angles with a conventional universal goniometer (UG) or a digital goniometer (DG). The UG is validated for use in dogs and cats. However, it demands both of the user's hands when measuring. To avoid this, a novel type of DG has been developed, simplifying measurement by offering single-hand usage. The objective of this study is to examine the concurrent validity of the DG. The study consists of measurement with the DG and UG for flexion of the carpus and fetlock on ten horses, and with the DG in flexion and neutral positioning of the fetlock on a sedated ...
Redden RF.Understanding the basic mechanisms of hoof capsule distortion enables the clinician to unravel the sometimes complex mix of abnormalities, identify early warning signs, and manage existing problems more effectively. Distortion of the hoof capsule can often seem like a complicated puzzle by the time the veterinarian is called to examine the lame horse. Evaluating each of the components of the hoof capsule, both individually and as an integrated unit, allows the clinician to tease apart the tangle of primary and secondary problems and come up with effective options for countering or attenuating ...
Pluim M, Martens A, Vanderperren K, van Weeren R, Oosterlinck M, Dewulf J, Kichouh M, Van Thielen B, Koene MHW, Luciani A, Plancke L, Delesalle C.High-power laser therapy is often used as a treatment for human sport injuries but controlled standardized studies on its efficacy are lacking. The technique has also been introduced in the equine field and recently promising results were reported in a retrospective study focusing on 150 sporthorses suffering from tendinopathy and desmopathy of the SDFT, DDFT, suspensory ligament, and suspensory branches. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of high-power laser in a standardized lesion model in horses. Lesions were created in all lateral suspensory branches of 12 warmblood ...
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fourteen horses that could not perform at their expected standards due to chronic back pain of 4 to 48 months duration, and had not obtained lasting improvement from other forms of therapy, were treated by stimulating nine acupuncture points using a low powered infrared laser (300 microW, 904 nm). The treatments were performed weekly, and consisted of stimulating each point for 2 minutes with a pulse frequency of 360 pulses per second. After completion of a mean of 11 treatments, clinical signs of back pain were alleviated in 10 of the 14 horses, there was no change in three, and one was lost ...
Auer JA, Watkins JP.Fifteen cases of radial fractures in adult horses weighing more than 300 kg are discussed. Four of the horses were destroyed on humane grounds immediately because of a poor prognosis and expense of internal fixation; and two horses at five days and five weeks, respectively after treatment by cast application was initiated. Internal fixation was used in nine horses but of these only two horses recovered completely and resumed their former activities. In eight cases, two plates were applied, one lateral or medial and the other cranial. The internal fixation techniques of all nine horses were scr...
Story MR, Bramlage LR.Historically, there has been a consensus that conservative management of subchondral cystic lesions of the distal phalanx carries a poor prognosis. Surgical management has been advocated; however, there are no reports documenting its routine use and successful surgical treatment. Objective: To describe arthroscopically-guided curettage of distal phalangeal subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) and report the qualitative and quantitative results in 11 affected horses age 16-33 months. Methods: Medical records of horses with previously treated lameness resulting from SCLs of the third phalanx were r...
Martin GS, Haynes PF, McClure JR.Between 1977 and 1984, 31 Thoroughbred horses (mean age, 2.8 years) were surgically treated for slab fractures of the third carpal bone. All fractures involved the articular surfaces of the intercarpal and the carpometacarpal joints in a frontal plane and had a cuboidal or slab shape. In 20 of the horses, the bone was fractured during racing and in 8 of the horses, the bone was fractured during race training. The right limb was affected more frequently than was the left limb (24 vs 7, P less than 0.05). Twenty-one (67.6%) horses raced at least once after recovery from the surgery. Data were av...
