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Clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic findings associated with enthesitis of the lateral collateral ligaments of the tarsocrural joint in standardbred racehorses.
Abstract: Injury of the lateral collateral ligaments of the tarsocrural joints was diagnosed in nine Standardbred pacers. The average age was 4.9 years. The severity of the lameness varied from severe to subtle and joint effusion was seen in eight of 10 tarsocrural joints. A positive hindlimb flexion test was seen in four of six cases in which results were recorded. The identification of the site of involvement was based on a focal intense 'hot spot' seen on scintigraphy, and new bone formation seen radiographically at the anatomical sites of insertion of the long lateral collateral ligament of the tarsocrural joint in nine limbs and the short lateral collateral ligament of one limb. The authors believe this injury to be enthesitis caused by the cyclic trauma of training and racing speed. The primary therapy was rest. Of six cases which returned to training, three raced as well or better than before injury.
Publication Date: 1988-09-01 PubMed ID: 9079063DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb04648.xGoogle 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 research article investigates the injuries to the lateral collateral ligaments of the tarsocrural joints in nine Standardbred pacers. The authors suggest the observed injuries to be a form of enthesitis, which might be triggered by the recurrent stress of training and racing activities, and that rest is the primary method of treatment.
Details of the Research Study
The study was performed on nine Standardbred racehorses who had been diagnosed with injuries to the lateral collateral ligaments of their tarsocrural joints, which are vital for normal mobility and performance. The details of the research are provided in the following aspects:
- Participant Demographics: The subject horses in the study had an average age of 4.9 years. The severity of lameness witnessed in these horses due to the injury varied from severe to subtle.
- Key Clinical Findings: Eight out of ten examined tarsocrural joints showed joint effusion, an abnormal accumulation of fluid. In addition, a positive hindlimb flexion test was observed in four out of the six cases where results were recorded.
- Diagnostic Methodology: Scintigraphy, a diagnostic test that uses radioactive material to create images, helped identify focal intense ‘hot spots’ associated with these ligament injuries. Radiographs showed new bone formation at the anatomical sites where the ligament inserts.
- Proposed Cause of Injuries: The authors propose the observed injuries as a type of enthesitis, inflammation of the area where a tendon or ligament attaches to a bone. They suggest the cause to be repetitive trauma from the intense training and racing routines the horses undergo.
Treatment and Outcomes
According to the study:
- Treatment Method: The most advocated therapy for the injuries was rest.
- Post-Treatment Performance: Of the cases which returned to training following the period of rest, three were documented to perform as well or even better than before the injury.
This research brings important insights into a specific type of ligament injury in racehorses and the role of rest in its management. Furthermore, it serves as a base for further studies on treatment methods and prevention strategies for similar injuries in sports horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Boero MJ, Kneller SK, Baker GJ, Metcalf MR, Twardock AR.
(1988).
Clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic findings associated with enthesitis of the lateral collateral ligaments of the tarsocrural joint in standardbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(6), 53-59.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb04648.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Ligaments, Articular / injuries
- Ligaments, Articular / pathology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Radiography
- Radionuclide Imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / injuries
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Lamb L, Zubrod C, Hague B, Brakenhoff J, Major M. Clinical outcome of collateral ligament injuries of the tarsus. Can Vet J 2012 May;53(5):518-24.
- Tokateloff N, Carmalt J, Manning S. Trauma resulting in hemarthrosis and long medial collateral ligament desmitis of the tarsocrural joint in a horse. Can Vet J 2011 May;52(5):519-23.
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