The Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) in horses is a critical component of the equine musculoskeletal system, primarily responsible for supporting the limb during locomotion. It is located on the back of the leg and extends from the muscle belly in the upper limb to its attachment on the pastern bone in the lower limb. The SDFT is prone to injury due to its high load-bearing function, particularly in performance horses. Injuries to this tendon can result from overuse, sudden trauma, or degenerative changes, leading to conditions such as tendinitis. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, function, injury mechanisms, and rehabilitation strategies for the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon in horses.
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...
Genovese RL, Rantanen NW, Simpson BS, Simpson DM.A method to quantitate as well as to document SDFT pathology has been described. This report indicates that computer-assisted evaluation of SDFT damage can improve the accuracy of prognosis in clinical practice. It would appear that a 3.8 severity rating is a limit past which prognosis for successful racing starts to worsen rapidly.
Easley KJ, Stashak TS, Smith FW, Van Slyke G.Thirty-six superficial digital flexor tendons from nine fresh equine cadavers were transected and sutured with size 2 monofilament nylon. Nine tendons were repaired with each of four suture patterns: single-locking loop, double-locking loop, triple-locking loop, or three-loop pulley. The times required for application, tensile strengths, resistance to distraction (gap), and modes of failure were analyzed. The mean times required were: single-locking loop, 3 mins, 15 secs; double-locking loop, 4 mins, 15 secs; triple-locking loop, 10 mins, 50 secs; and three-loop pulley, 4 mins. The double-lock...
Meagher DM, Aldrete AV.Lateral luxation of the superficial digital flexor tendon from the calcaneal tuber occurs in horses as a result of tearing or rupture of the medial retinaculum of the tendon. This report describes the repair of this condition in 2 Thoroughbred race horses, using a surgical technique in which 2 cancellous bone screws were placed in the calcaneus lateral to the tendon, along with suturing the medial retinaculum.
Stephens PR, Nunamaker DM, Butterweck DM.Custom-designed Hall-effect strain sensors (HES) were implanted surgically onto the superficial digital flexor tendons of the forelimbs of 4 adult Thoroughbreds. Strains were recorded at various gaits, using a portable amplifer and FM cassette recorder. Strain calculations used the original length (L) as the HES position with the forelimb in the relaxed neutral position during anesthesia. A characteristic deflection in the strain cycle recording was confirmed to correspond to initial hoof contact with the ground (heel strike) by simultaneous recording of weight bearing via a footswitch. Heel s...
Held JP, Patton CS, Shires M.Osteochondroma of the distal portion of the radius was diagnosed in 3 horses with a history of lameness and distention of the common tendon sheath of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons at the level of the carpal canal. In 2 horses, the exostosis was removed through an incision at the caudal border of the lateral digital extensor muscle above the carpal ligament.
Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC, Hartman W, Lammertink JL.Loads on the suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, superficial digital flexor tendon, and long digital extensor tendon of the equine hind limb were determined in ponies by use of implanted strain gauges consisting of silicone rubber tubes filled with mercury. Recordings were made simultaneously with force plate measurements and high-speed film recordings while the ponies were walking. The relationship between strain gauge signals and tendon loads was obtained from tension-strain tests performed after death of the ponies. The suspensory ligament and the 2 digital flexor tendons were ...
Johnstone AC.Congenital vascular tumours in the skin of the legs of two horses showed histological features at biopsy which were consistent with capillary haemangioma but, at necropsy, one tumour had invaded the superficial digital flexor tendon and was therefore classified as a haemangiosarcoma.
Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC.The mechanical properties of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the suspensory ligament (SL) of the hindlimb of the horse were studied in vitro. The tendons were observed at several morphologically distinct sites. The loaded tendon is homogeneously strained, in spite of large variations in cross-sectional area. Consequently the modulus of elasticity was inversely proportional to the corresponding cross-sectional area and ranged from 738 MPa (megaPascal, N mm-2) to 1398 MPa within the DDFT, from 1000 MPa to 1282 MPa within the SDFT and from 5...
Wagner PC, Shires GM, Watrous BJ, Kaneps AJ, Schmotzer WB, Riebold TW.Fifteen horses with flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated and their conditions were designated as mild, moderate, or severe. Evaluations were made on the basis of clinical signs and lesions seen on radiography. Horses with mild deformities were treated with corrective trimming and shoeing; those with moderate deformities were treated with desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and corrective shoeing. Desmotomies of the accessory ligaments of both deep and superficial digital flexor tendons were performed on horses severely affected, f...
Watkins JP, Auer JA, Gay S, Morgan SJ.Full-thickness defects were surgically created in the superficial digital flexor tendons of the front limbs of 20 horses. Tissues formed within the defect were evaluated histologically, and the collagen composition of the tissue was determined by immunofluorescence. Transformation occurred from loose fibrillar areas of types I and III collagen and pericellular types IV and V collagen to dense bundles of type I collagen fibers. Loose fibrillar areas of types I and III collagen were present after 24 weeks. Histologically, in horses killed after 2 weeks, the tissue within the defect was a randoml...
Watkins JP, Auer JA, Morgan SJ, Gay S.The effect of pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on the healing of surgically created defects in equine superficial digital flexor tendons was evaluated. Defects were created in both front superficial digital flexor tendons of 20 horses. The defect in 1 limb was exposed to a PEMF for 2 hours daily. The other limb served as a control. Histologic and immunofluorescent evaluations were done in horse killed at postsurgical weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24. Therapy with the PEMF significantly (P less than 0.05) delayed the maturation of the tissue formed within the defect at postsurgical weeks 8...
Kaneps AJ, Hultgren BD, Riebold TW, Shires GM.Surgical incisions were made in the skin and superficial digital flexor tendons in horses. A low intensity laser therapy device was used to treat the limbs. After laser therapy was completed, skin and superficial digital flexor tendons from incised laser-irradiated, incised-control, and nonincised-control limbs were compared microscopically. Qualitative differences between laser irradiated and nonirradiated tissues were not found. The laser therapy device used in this study may be of insufficient power to affect wound healing.
Valdez H, Clark RG, Hanselka DV.Flexible medical grade carbon fiber was surgically implanted in tenectomized or lacerated superficial and deep digital flexor tendons of 13 horses (7 clinical cases and 6 experimental), ranging in age from 15 months to 10 years and weighing 300 to 500 kg. The 6 experimental horses were euthanatized at 30-, 45-, 60-, and 90-day intervals for gross and histologic evaluation of the results. Three of the experimental horses served as their own controls. Of the 7 clinically affected horses, 3 were euthanatized because they developed laminitis or the wound failed to heal. The remaining 4 horses in t...
Parry DA, Craig AS, Barnes GR.A study has been made of the ultrastructural organization of the collagen fibrils and elastic fibres in tendons and ligaments from horses of ages ranging from 2 months premature to 19 years. Diameter distributions of the collagen fibrils in the common digital extensor tendon, the superficial flexor tendon and the suspensory ligament are unimodal in the foetal tissue and at birth, and at these stages of development the three collagenous tissues are virtually indistinguishable. However, at maturity, the ligament and flexor tendon have bimodal distributions similar to that found for rat-tail tend...
Herrick WC, Kingsbury HB, Lou DY.This paper describes the result of an investigation of strains and strain rates which normally occur in the tendons of the equine foreleg and presents stress-strain curves and moduli for the tendons at these rates. It has previously been demonstrated that resistance to flexion of the joints of the distal part of the equine foreleg is provided by a passive system of tendons and ligaments. It is therefore possible, using a large displacement, high-rate testing machine, to duplicate in the laboratory the strain rates and forces which are normally produced in the tendons of the foreleg of the runn...
Webbon PM.The normal appearance of the superficial (SFT) and deep (DFT) digital flexor tendons was described and the difference between their histological structures was emphasised. Further differences were recognised between different sites from the same tendon and between tendons in the fore and hind limbs of the same animal. Both of the tendons underwent changes with age but although a number of alterations in the histological appearance were described, a particular change, involving a patchy loss of stainable nuclei, was found at the common site of SFT injuries. While this appearance has been seen i...
McIlwraith CW, Fessler JF.The usefulness of inferior check ligament desmotomy as a treatment for acquired tendon contracture in horses was evaluated in 13 cases of deep digital flexor (DDF) contracture and in 3 cases of combined superficial digital flexor (SDF) and DDF contracture. In 8 of 9 cases of DDF contracture in which the dorsal surface of the hoof had not passed beyond being vertical to the ground, the surgical procedure was successful in returning the limb to a normal position and function. Compared with DDF tenotomy, inferior check ligament desmotomy was a superior treatment technique because of decreased pos...
Strömberg B, Tufvesson G.Four autologous tendon grafting techniques, bipedicle, pedicle and free grafts of the deep digital flexor tendon and free grafts from the lateral digital extensor tendon were described. The vascularization and remodelling of the transplant and the reactions in the donor, as well as the recipient tendon, were studied by means of microangiographic and histochemical methods. The results indicated that regardless of the technique used the grafts were revascularized and replaced by a highly orientated and organized tendon. The use of free grafts may therefore be worthwhile in treatment of severe te...
Webbon PM.The results of a survey are presented in which 589 limbs from 206 horses were dissected. In174 of the limbs lesions were found in either the superficial (131) or deep (43) digital flexor tendons. Changes occurring with age were also recorded. The sites of the abnormalities and their macroscopical appearance are described and the value of the results is considered in relation to the diagnosis and the treatment of clinical lesions.
Strömberg B.Thermography is the pictorial representation of infra-red (IR) emission from the surface of an object. IR emission from biological surfaces originates from two principal sources, circulation and metabolism, which are interdepen-dent. Changes in IR emission as recorded by thermography were correlated to changes in local blood circulation (BrAnemark & Nilsson 1969) and to changes in '33Xe disappearance rate (Stromberg & Norberg 1971). In 1969 Stromberg & Tufvesson, using microradiography, demonstrated that there were vascular changes in the superficial flexor tendon (SFT) even before clinical si...
Murphy DJ, Kö-Peternelj V, Aleri JW.Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury is common in racehorses and a significant cause of lost training days and wastage in the industry. Objective: To compare the post-injury performance of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses diagnosed with SDFT tendonitis treated with intralesional bone marrow and superior check desmotomy or managed conservatively and further to compare this performance with that of uninjured racehorses. Methods: Retrospective and case-controlled. Methods: Medical and race records of racehorses treated surgically or managed conservatively for SDFT tendonitis we...
Rich T, Henderson LB, Becker DL, Cornell H, Patterson-Kane JC.Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries of horses usually follow cumulative matrix microdamage; it is not known why the reparative abilities of tendon fibroblasts are overwhelmed or subverted. Relevant in vitro studies of this process require fibroblasts not already responding to stresses caused by the cell culture protocols. We investigated indicators of replicative damage in SDFT fibroblast monolayers, effects of this on their reparative ability, and measures that can be taken to reduce it. Results: We found significant evidence of replicative stress, initially observing consistent...
Salinas P, Lira-Velásquez D, Bongiorno A, Sandoval C.The aim of this study was to quantify the distribution of aligned and non-aligned collagen in cross-sections of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in different levels of the distal forelimb of equines diagnosed with NS (Navicular Syndrome). Sixty equine forelimbs were collected. Was compared two groups (NA, Not affected vs. NS-group) by t-Student. Diagnosis of NS was based on clinical and lameness examination, diagnostic analgesia and radiological findings. The proportion of aligned and non-aligned collagens at 2 levels for the SDFT and 3 levels ...
Whitlock D, Garcia TC, Vallance SA, Stover SM.The specific biomechanical circumstances that induce excessive superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) strain in horses are unknown. Objective: Carpal joint hyperextension during axial limb loading during the middle of stance disproportionately enhances SDFT strains compared to suspensory ligament (SL) strains. Methods: Superficial digital flexor tendon and SL strains were measured in 7 cadaver limbs during in vitro loading that maintained carpal extension or allowed carpal hyperextension by constraining, or allowing rotation of, the radius during loading conditions that simulated the middle ...
Rich AF, Ricci E, Gates S, Hinnigan GJ, Owen KR.A 20-year-old British Warmblood gelding was presented for a progressively worsening right forelimb lameness which developed following an intense dressage training session. Initial ultrasound examination revealed a triangular, intrathecal, hypoechoic region within the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the proximal, palmar carpal region distal to the accessory carpal bone (ACB), extending 7cm distally into the proximal metacarpal region. No significant improvement in clinical presentation was observed following an eight-week rehabilitation programme. Repeat ultrasound examination revea...
Blanco ID, Devito LG, Ferreira HN, Araujo GH, Fernandes CB, Alvarenga MA, Landim-Alvarenga FC.This study examined the effect of treating mares with equine pituitary extract (EPE) alone or in combination with hCG on the recovery rate of immature follicles by transvaginal follicular aspiration (ovum pick-up; OPU). Ten normally cycling crossbred mares aged 3-15 years and weighing 350-400 kg were subjected to each of three treatments in a random sequence with each exposure to a new treatment separated by a rest cycle during which a spontaneous ovulation occurred. The treatments were (1) superovulated with 25mg EPE and treated with 2500 IU hCG, (2) superovulation with 25mg EPE, and (3) cont...
Crevier-Denoix N, Robin D, Pourcelot P, Falala S, Holden L, Estoup P, Desquilbet L, Denoix JM, Chateau H.Although beach training is commonly used in horses, limb loading on beach sand has never been investigated. A dynamometric horseshoe (DHS) is well adapted for this purpose. Objective: To compare ground reaction force (GRF) and fetlock kinematics measured in harness trotters on 2 tracks of beach sand with different water content. Methods: Two linear sand tracks were compared: firm wet sand (FWS, 19% moisture) vs. deep wet sand (DWS, 13.5% moisture). Four French trotters (550 ± 22 kg) were used. Their right forelimb was equipped with a DHS and skin markers. Each track was tested 3 times at 7 m/...
Bosch G, van Schie HT, de Groot MW, Cadby JA, van de Lest CH, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR.Tendon injuries are notorious for their slow and functionally inferior healing. Intratendinous application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been reported to stimulate the repair process of tendon injuries, but there is little conclusive evidence for its effectiveness. A placebo-controlled experimental trial was performed to test the hypothesis that a single intratendinous PRP treatment enhances the quality of tendon repair, as evidenced by improved biochemical, biomechanical, and histological tissue properties. In six horses, tendon lesions were created surgically in the Superficial Digital F...
Hagen J, Kojah K, Geiger M.The angulation of the equine fetlock determines the load of associated tendons and probably their predisposition for injuries. However, it is questionable how the individual toe conformation and tendon properties interact with the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle (DMPJ). Data are needed for a tangible evaluation of the equine limb conformation for more specific orthopaedic treatment. The aim was to evaluate the correlation between the DMPJ, toe conformation and cross-sectional area (CSA) of both flexor tendons; the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (...
Takahashi T, Yoshihara E, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Hiraga A.Although the main cause of injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is assumed to be high intensity loading of the tendon, to date the forces exerted on the SDFT during cantering have never been measured. Objective: To measure the force exerted on the SDFT at walk, trot and canter on a treadmill. Methods: Arthroscopically implantable force probes (AIFP) were implanted in the SDFT of the left and right forelimbs of 8 Thoroughbred horses (480-565 kg). The output of the AIFP was calibrated using the SDFT force calculated by inverse dynamics and an in vitro model of the lower forelim...
Wood AK, Sehgal CM, Reef VB.In a feasability study, a technique for constructing 3-dimensional sonographic images of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) was established in 6 clinically normal horses and applied to 7 horses with injured SDFT. Two-dimensional B-mode sonographic images were recorded on videotape as the sonographic transducer was manually moved along the palmar aspect of the metacarpal region. Selected videofields were digitized, and 3-dimensional images were constructed, using a computer work station and dedicated software program. The 3-dimensional images were of high quality and presented qualita...
Caspers MK, Gier CJ, Reesink HL.Non-septic tenosynovitis is a clinically relevant and often performance limiting musculoskeletal injury in the horse. Objective: To review the published literature to determine which tendon sheaths are commonly affected by non-septic tenosynovitis and to describe the most frequently reported pathological lesions, outcomes, and surgical complications in equine non-septic tenosynovitis. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in July 2021 from the online search engines PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core, VetMed Resource and ProQuest Theses & Dissertations. Th...
Carlier S, Depuydt E, Suls M, Bocqué C, Thys J, Vandenberghe A, Martens A, Saunders J, Hellmann K, Braun G, Beerts C, Spaas JH.Mesenchymal stem cells are an innovative therapeutic for various equine orthopaedic diseases, including soft tissue injuries. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tenogenic primed equine allogeneic peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) in horses with naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) injuries. Methods: Multicentre, blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods: One hundred client-owned horses with SDFT and SL injuries were randomised to receive an intralesional tpMSC (66) or saline (34) in...
Anoushepour A, Eftekhari S, Masoudifard M.Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) plays an important role in the locomotion of the horses with flexion of the limbs. In the hind limb, it passes over the calcaneal bone and attaches to medial and lateral surfaces of calcaneous by two bands of connective tissue; while, the medial band is weaker than the lateral one. Occasionally, severe trauma, over-extension or fracture of the calcaneous may cause rupture of the supportive bands leading to tendon luxation. An 11-year-old Thoroughbred jumping gelding with symptoms of lameness in both legs, after examination by an internal specialist vete...
Lalanne C, Bonilla AG.To evaluate the feasibility and limitations associated with a minimally invasive ultrasound-assisted cutting thread technique for tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Twenty cadaveric forelimbs. Methods: Forelimbs were placed on a jig to mimic a standing semiflexed position and the midmetacarpal region was prepared to perform tenotomy of the DDFT using a percutaneous technique with a cutting thread. For that purpose, the thread was placed percutaneously around the DDFT (first dorsally and then palmarly) with the aid of a curved 20 gauge ...
Ripollés-Lobo M, Perdomo-González DI, Azor PJ, Valera M.Abnormalities in hoof shape are usually connected with limb conformation defects. The role of angular hoof deviations is important for longevity in sports competitions and is increasingly recognized as a factor associated with lameness in performance horses. In this paper, we measured the prevalence of four defects related to the angulation of the hoof in the Pura Raza Española horse (PRE): splay-footed forelimb (SFF), pigeon-toed forelimb (PTF), splay-footed rear limb (SFR), and pigeon-toed rear limb (PTR). A total of 51,134 animals were studied, of which only 15.75% did not have any of the ...
Aßmann A, Ohlerth S, Hartmann S, Torgerson P, Bischofberger A.Tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) is diagnosed using ultrasonography and contrast tenography. Nevertheless, making a precise preoperative diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to determine and compare the sensitivity and specificity of low-field MRI and MRI tenography (MRIt) to detect artificially created soft-tissue lesions in the DFTS. In 21 DFTSs, 118 lesions were made tenoscopically in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), manica flexoria (MF) and proximal scutum. MRI and MRI, following intrathecal gadolinium administra...
Carlier S, Depuydt E, Van Hecke L, Martens A, Saunders J, Spaas JH.Mesenchymal stem cells provide a valuable treatment option in orthopedic injuries in horses. Unassigned: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, immunological and immunomodulatory parameters following intralesional treatment with tenogenic primed equine allogeneic peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) in client-owned horses with naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) injuries. Unassigned: The immunogenicity and immunomodulatory capacities of tpMSCs were assessed in a modified mixed lymphocyte re...
Johnson SA, Sikes KJ, Johnson JW, Van Zeeland E, Wist S, Santangelo KS, King MR, Frisbie DD.Low load exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) has become increasingly used by human physical therapists to prescribe controlled exercise following orthopaedic injury; its effects on the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), however, are unknown. Objective: To investigate outcomes of pressure specific BFR walking exercise on uninjured equine SDFT biomechanics and histomorphology. Methods: Controlled in vivo experiment. Methods: Four forelimbs of four horses were exposed to 40 BFR-walk sessions (10-min interval walking) on a treadmill over a 56-day study period with the...
Yeung CC, Svensson RB, Mogensen NMB, Merkel MFR, Schjerling P, Jokipii-Utzon A, Zhang C, Carstensen H, Buhl R, Kjaer M.Physical activity can activate extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and influence the size and mechanical properties of tendon. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether different training histories of horses would influence the synthesis of collagen and other matrix proteins and alter the mechanical properties of tendon. Samples from superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) from horses that were either (a) currently race trained (n = 5), (b) previously race trained (n = 5) or (c) untrained (n = 4) were analysed for matrix protein abundance (mass spectrometry), collage...
Tamura N, Yoshihara E, Seki K, Mae N, Kodaira K, Iimori M, Yamazaki Y, Mita H, Urayama S, Kuroda T, Ohta M, Kasashima Y.The potential value of hypervascularity detected with power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) within equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) as a prognostic factor of SDFT injury is not clear. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypervascularity within SDFT is one of the risk factors for subsequent severe SDFT injury and to evaluate the prognostic value. A prospective cohort study of 97 Thoroughbred racehorses without any clinical signs of SDFT injury was conducted. Six variables of age, body weight, sex, the cross-sectional area of SDFT, PDU signal within SDFT and ex...
Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW.In vivo measurement of limb stiffness and conformation provides a non-invasive proxy assessment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) function. Here, we compared it in fore and hindlimbs and after injury. Objective: To compare the limb stiffness and conformation in forelimbs and hindlimbs, changes with age, and following injury to the SDFT and SL. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Limb stiffness was calculated using floor scales and an electrogoniometer taped to the dorsal fetlock. The fetlock angle and weight were simultaneously recorded five tim...
Eren G, López-Albors O, Guilabert Segura R, Jordan Montesinos J, Latorre R.The accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT) plays a crucial role in the stay apparatus of the horse. This study aimed to investigate the anatomical relationship between the AL-DDFT, the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), and other structures in the metacarpal region. Sixteen distal forelimbs from eight horses, aged 1 to 6 years, were evaluated through macroscopic, microscopic, and morphometric analyses, utilizing detailed dissection, E12 plastinated sections, and histological analysis. During lateral dissection, a connection was observed between the AL-DDFT and th...
Blatter M, Chapman HS, Heinzel-Gutenbrunner M, von Plato G, Rijkenhuizen A.Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) has been described for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, and in event horses. To our knowledge, the outcome of this procedure has not been described in a population of warmblood horses. Objective: To report on the outcome of treatment of SDFT tendinopathy in warmblood horses using tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the AL-SDFT. Methods: Prospective observational case series. Methods: All 62 horses included in the case ser...
McCarthy RD, Ordóñez HJ, Semevolos SA.To compare core temperatures of superficial and deep digital flexor tendons (SDFT, DDFT) during application of a compression cooling system versus ice boots and during subsequent lower limb bandaging. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Paired forelimbs of six sedated horses. Methods: Thermocouples were placed in the core of SDFT and DDFT of both front limbs of each horse. A compression cooling system was applied to one front limb and an ice boot was applied to the other front limb for 60 min and then removed for 60 min. Standing bandages were then applied to both front limbs for 60 mi...
Choi Y, Parkin T.Superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinopathy is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in Thoroughbreds and a major cause of retirement from racing among racehorses in South Korea. However, there are no previous epidemiological studies on SDF tendinopathy-related risk factors for racehorses in South Korea. The interventions derived from such a study could reduce the occurrence of SDF tendinopathy and, therefore, extend horses' racing careers. Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with SDF tendinopathy for Thoroughbreds in South Korea. Methods: Retrospective case-control ...
Singh A, Johnson T, Wotman K, Leary D.Veterinary personnel exposure due to scattered x rays, when present during superficial radiation treatment (SRT), was evaluated. Veterinary personnel presence is needed during SRT to minimize the degree of required aesthesia to horses. Animal treatment was simulated, and exposure rates determined for 50, 70, and 100 kV x rays using eight different SRT applicators. Exposure rates at the surface of a solid water phantom (SWP) phantom ranged from 3.9 mR h-1 to 396 mR h-1 for 50 kV, from 41 mR h-1 to 2,880 mR h-1 for 70 kV, and from 235 mR h-1 to 7,500 mR h-1, for 100 kV, respectively. A horse pha...
Beaumont A, Emond AL, Pourcelot P, Fayaubot L, Ravary-Plumioen B, Dupays AG, Desquilbet L, Denoix JM, Crevier-Denoix N.To quantify changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the midmetacarpal superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in young Trotters during training. Unassigned: In this experimental study, 12 healthy 3-year-old French Trotters, assigned to either a soft-track or a hard-track group, were trained for 4 months (June through September of 2012 and 2013). Both groups followed the same exercise program of increasing intensity. Ultrasonographic examinations of both forelimb SDFTs of each horse were performed before the beginning of training (D0), after 2 months of training (M2), and after 4 months o...
Ellis K, Van Zeeland EM, Ashton L, Wist S, Broeckling C, Harris M, Frisbie DD, Sikes KJ.To (1) identify tissue-specific metabolic profiles of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and suspensory ligament (SL) and (2) evaluate metabolic profile differences in the SDFT, DDFT, and SL between the equine forelimb and hindlimb. Unassigned: 2 SDFT, DDFT, and SL specimens were collected from the forelimbs and hindlimbs of 10 horses of mixed breed, age, and sex that were euthanized for other reasons. One specimen was processed for histology to confirm that there were no underlying soft-tissue pathologies. One specimen was processed for 2 forms of...
Durgam S.The mid-metacarpal SDFT, intrasynovial DDFT and suspensory ligament are frequently injured soft tissues in the equine athlete. The mid-metacarpal SDFT exhibits a hierarchical structure and encounters repetitive strains at its functional limit. The intrasynovial DDFT possesses fibrocartilage where opposing bony surfaces to facilitate resistance-free gliding and contains chondrocyte-like cells embedded in a proteoglycan-rich ECM. While suspensory ligament enthesis injuries are common, collagen and non-collagen ECM structure-function specializations at the bone-ligament interface are understudied...
