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A surgical tendonitis model in horses: technique, clinical, ultrasonographic and histological characterisation.
Abstract: Tendon injuries are common in all athletic activities in both humans and horses. Research of treatment modalities for this disease has typically been performed on a model of collagenase-induced tendonitis. This model has several disadvantages. Our hypothesis was that a reproducible core lesion could be created surgically in superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT), which could then be evaluated consistently using ultrasonography. Methods: Four horses free of forelimb lameness were used in this study. Each horse underwent general anaesthesia and a synovial resector was used to create a core lesion in the SDFT of each forelimb. Sonographic examination was conducted weekly using 2 cm intervals between a section 7 and 25 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone. At two, four, eight, and 12 weeks after injury, a horse was euthanatized. Histopathological evaluation of the SDFT was performed at the same levels as the sonographic examination. Results: Only mild clinical signs of tendonitis were observed. Ultrasonographic core lesions were 10-16 cm long and had a mean maximum cross-sectional area (CSA) of 18.25 +/- 5.91% occurring at 17-23 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone, and a mean volume of 1.86 +/- 0.26 cm(3). Mean duration taken to achieve maximum lesion CSA and lesion volume was 35 +/- 7 days. Histologically, the lesions were characterised by mild inflammation followed by fibroplasia. Conclusions: The reported surgical technique resulted in core lesions that were consistent in size and location, were readily evaluated with ultrasonography, and showed similarities with the ultrasonographic and histological progression of naturally occurring tendonitis lesions.
Publication Date: 2010-06-21 PubMed ID: 20585715DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-10-0106Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers carried out a study to create a consistent model for tendonitis using surgery in horses, allowing for easy and regular evaluation using ultrasonography. This model is an alternative to the previously used collagenase-induced tendonitis model, and it shows similarities with naturally occurring tendonitis lesions.
Methods
In this study, horses that were free of forelimb lameness were used. Under general anesthesia, superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) of each forelimb were surgically manipulated to create a core lesion. This procedure was done using a synovial resector. The model created was examined weekly using ultrasonography with distinct intervals.
- The surgery was performed on four different horses.
- A specialty instrument called a synovial resector was used to surgically induce the tendonitis model in the horses.
- The created core lesions in the tendons were examined weekly using sonography (ultrasonography).
Findings
The researchers found that their surgical techniques resulted in core lesions that were consistent in size and location, and could be easily assessed with ultrasonography.
- Only mild signs of tendonitis, similar to natural occurrences of the condition, were observed after the surgery.
- The induced core lesions were 10-16cm long and averaged a cross-sectional area (CSA) of 18.25 +/- 5.91% at a distance of 17-23 cm from the accessory carpal bone.
- The average time taken for the lesions to achieve maximum cross-sectional area and volume was approximately 35 days.
- On histological examination, there were indications of mild inflammation followed by fibroplasia (the formation of fibrous tissue).
Conclusions
The study concluded that the surgical technique used could reliably produce core lesions in the tendons that were consistent in terms of size and location. The model created showed similarity with naturally occurring tendonitis. This suggests that it could be used as a more accurate model for research into treatments for tendonitis.
- The study proposes an improved model for tendonitis that facilitates consistent evaluation and closely mirrors the natural progression of the condition.
- This new model could potentially enhance the research and development of treatment methods for tendonitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Schramme M, Hunter S, Campbell N, Blikslager A, Smith R.
(2010).
A surgical tendonitis model in horses: technique, clinical, ultrasonographic and histological characterisation.
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 23(4), 231-239.
https://doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-09-10-0106 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. michael_schramme@ncsu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Animals
- Euthanasia, Animal
- Follow-Up Studies
- Forelimb / surgery
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Postoperative Care / veterinary
- Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging
- Tendinopathy / pathology
- Tendinopathy / surgery
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
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- Mercer MA, Davis JL, McKenzie HC. The Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Evaluation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Adult Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Koch DW, Berglund AK, Messenger KM, Gilbertie JM, Ellis IM, Schnabel LV. Interleukin-1β in tendon injury enhances reparative gene and protein expression in mesenchymal stem cells. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:963759.
- Jaafar SE, Al-Bayti AAH, Abdullah SI. Using Short Term of High Power Laser Therapy in Horse's Tendon Injuries. Arch Razi Inst 2021 Nov;76(5):1437-1444.
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