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
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
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
This article has been cited 19 times.- Scharf A, Acutt E, Bills K, Werpy N. Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and managing deep digital flexor tendinopathy in equine athletes: Insights, advances and future directions. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1183-1203.
- Little D, Amadio PC, Awad HA, Cone SG, Dyment NA, Fisher MB, Huang AH, Koch DW, Kuntz AF, Madi R, McGilvray K, Schnabel LV, Shetye SS, Thomopoulos S, Zhao C, Soslowsky LJ. Preclinical tendon and ligament models: Beyond the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) to 5W1H (why, who, what, where, when, how). J Orthop Res 2023 Oct;41(10):2133-2162.
- 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.
- Gaesser AM, Underwood C, Linardi RL, Even KM, Reef VB, Shetye SS, Mauck RL, King WJ, Engiles JB, Ortved KF. Evaluation of Autologous Protein Solution Injection for Treatment of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonitis in an Equine Model. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:697551.
- Depuydt E, Broeckx SY, Van Hecke L, Chiers K, Van Brantegem L, van Schie H, Beerts C, Spaas JH, Pille F, Martens A. The Evaluation of Equine Allogeneic Tenogenic Primed Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Surgically Induced Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Lesion Model. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:641441.
- 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 Improves Healing of the Equine Suspensory Branch in a Standardized Lesion Model. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:600.
- Ribitsch I, Baptista PM, Lange-Consiglio A, Melotti L, Patruno M, Jenner F, Schnabl-Feichter E, Dutton LC, Connolly DJ, van Steenbeek FG, Dudhia J, Penning LC. Large Animal Models in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: To Do or Not to Do. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020;8:972.
- Oliva F, Maffulli N, Gissi C, Veronesi F, Calciano L, Fini M, Brogini S, Gallorini M, Antonetti Lamorgese Passeri C, Bernardini R, Cicconi R, Mattei M, Berardi AC. Combined ascorbic acid and T(3) produce better healing compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in an Achilles tendon injury rat model: a proof of concept study. J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Feb 18;14(1):54.
- Biasutti S, Dart A, Smith M, Blaker C, Clarke E, Jeffcott L, Little C. Spatiotemporal variations in gene expression, histology and biomechanics in an ovine model of tendinopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0185282.
- Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
- Scharf A, Holmes SP, Thoresen M, Mumaw J, Stumpf A, Peroni J. MRI-Based Assessment of Intralesional Delivery of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Model of Equine Tendonitis. Stem Cells Int 2016;2016:8610964.
- Berner D, Brehm W, Gerlach K, Gittel C, Offhaus J, Paebst F, Scharner D, Burk J. Longitudinal Cell Tracking and Simultaneous Monitoring of Tissue Regeneration after Cell Treatment of Natural Tendon Disease by Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Stem Cells Int 2016;2016:1207190.
- Geburek F, Mundle K, Conrad S, Hellige M, Walliser U, van Schie HT, van Weeren R, Skutella T, Stadler PM. Tracking of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and histology after intralesional treatment of artificial equine tendon lesions--a pilot study. Stem Cell Res Ther 2016 Feb 1;7:21.
- Jacobson E, Dart AJ, Mondori T, Horadogoda N, Jeffcott LB, Little CB, Smith MM. Focal experimental injury leads to widespread gene expression and histologic changes in equine flexor tendons. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0122220.
- Smith RK, Werling NJ, Dakin SG, Alam R, Goodship AE, Dudhia J. Beneficial effects of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in naturally occurring tendinopathy. PLoS One 2013;8(9):e75697.
- Carvalho Ade M, Badial PR, Álvarez LE, Yamada AL, Borges AS, Deffune E, Hussni CA, Garcia Alves AL. Equine tendonitis therapy using mesenchymal stem cells and platelet concentrates: a randomized controlled trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2013 Jul 22;4(4):85.
- Dallaudière B, Lempicki M, Pesquer L, Louedec L, Preux PM, Meyer P, Hummel V, Larbi A, Deschamps L, Journe C, Hess A, Silvestre A, Sargos P, Loriaut P, Boyer P, Schouman-Claeys E, Michel JB, Serfaty JM. Efficacy of intra-tendinous injection of platelet-rich plasma in treating tendinosis: comprehensive assessment of a rat model. Eur Radiol 2013 Oct;23(10):2830-7.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
